fructose

[low_delta]

Fructose may play a role in weight gain. So concluded researchers who conducted a small clinical trial in Minnesota with six healthy volunteers. At different times, participants were given breakfast drinks with varying amounts of fructose. The upshot? The volunteers converted sugar in the drink into body fat more rapidly when as little as half the glucose was replaced by fructose (about the percentage in high-fructose corn syrup). Fruit also contains fructose, but in smaller amounts - an apple has about 11 grams, while a 12-ounce soft drink has about 36. - "Environmental Nutrition" newsletter.

Does anyone wonder why, as our diets becomes lower in fat, obesity rates seem to still be rising?

Comments

[dwivian]

This is entirely accurate.... fructose isn't bad, in moderation.

Alas, food companies don't USE it in moderation, so it is often difficult to know you're getting lots of it. 100% Apple juice is high fructose, but not HFCS. Doesn't matter. Lots of fructose isn't good for you.

Avoiding it, though, is a royal pain.

[raven-nest.livejournal.com]

Agreed. It seems every label of processed food has it as one of the first several ingredients.

[dwivian]

it's an amazingly useful ingredient! Alas, our bodies aren't quite so happy about that, but it does make pretty and flavorful food!