What Is the Specific Function of Fructose?

Fructose is a simple carbohydrate, or monosaccharide, the most basic unit of carbohydrates. Found in plants, animals and other dietary sources such as fruit, honey and juice, fructose is an important blood sugar.

Replenishment

• According to Vitamins and Supplements, fructose is one of the three most important blood sugars, along with glucose and galactose, and is used therapeutically as a nutrient and fluid replenisher.

Natural Sweetener

• As a simple monosaccharide, fructose can supply energy in a healthy way if it is consumed in foods that contain it naturally, such as fruit. High-fructose corn syrup is considered an “added sugar” that supplies calories but little or no nutrients.

Controlling Blood Sugar

• Fructose, available in dietary sources, comes in packages that contain more than just sugar, but nutrients and fiber, too. This helps slow down the absorption of the sugar and prevent quick doses that exacerbate the blood-sugar roller coaster.

Valuable Energy Food

• Fructose sugar must enter the liver before entering the bloodstream for distribution to the body’s cells. Since it must be stored in the liver, fructose can be used for energy even after longer periods of time.

Selective Consumption

• Fructose is also found in table sugar, or sucrose, which contains both fructose and glucose. Because you can obtain fructose from many sources, both natural and refined, it’s important to make wise choices on how much you consume, for pleasure or energy--or both.