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What Is Fructose Sugar?

Fructose sugars, naturally found only in fruit, vegetables and honey, are crystalized and used to sweeten drinks and food. Experts believe fructose is a safe natural sweetner.

  1. What is Fructose Sugar?

    • Fructose naturally gives fruits and vegetables a sweet taste. Over the past 20 years, fructose has been crystallized and used to sweeten drinks and food. Crystallized fructose sugar, a nutritive or caloric sweetener, works as a healthy substitute to other sweeteners.

    Not the Same as High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

    • High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contains fructose and glucose sugars. Less fructose sugar is needed because of its highly sweet taste. Using fructose over HFCS to sweeten drinks and foods means lower calories. Fructose also has a lower glycemic index level, meaning it does not significantly affect surges and dips in blood sugar levels.

    Health and Safety

    • Many experts find fructose a safe dietary product. In fact, the International Life Sciences Institute Expert Panel states, "Fructose is a valuable, traditional source of food energy, and there is no basis for recommending increases or decreases in its use in the general food supply or in special dietary use products."

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