Fructose is considered detrimental to health because evidence shows it is a significant cause of insulin resistance. In particular fructose consumption can decrease insulin sensitivity within a few weeks, as demonstrated by animal and human studies. However, fructose is present in fruit in high amounts, and in this form does not appear to have such detrimental effects. One factor that is often not considered with fructose is that for it to be detrimental it must be consumed with an excess of energy. When in energy balance, fructose is likely to be used to synthesise glycogen or as an energy substrate itself, and this removes it from circulation preventing any detrimental effects. However, when it is consumed with excess calories, the fructose enters the de novo lipogenesis pathway to cause metabolic damage including insulin insensitivity. Maintaining a balanced diet that does not provide excess energy in the presence of fructose is therefore highly important if health is to be maintained and insulin sensitivity improved.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
