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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Davis, California » Western Human Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #174942
Title: FRUCTOSE

Author
item Keim, Nancy
item HAVEL, PETER - UC DAVIS, NUTR. DEPT.

Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2005
Publication Date: 7/27/2005
Citation: Keim, N.L., Havel, P.J. Fructose. Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition, 2nd edition. Elsevier Ltd. 2005, Vol.2;351-356.

Interpretive Summary: The simple sugar, fructose, occurs in nature in many fruits, and it is also added to many food products as a sweetener. This article reviews the properties and sources of fructose in our food supply, the estimated intake of fructose in U.S. diets, the intestinal absorption of fructose, and the metabolism of fructose and its effect on lipid and glucose metabolism. The health implications of increased consumption of fructose are discussed, and inborn errors of fructose metabolism are described.

Technical Abstract: Fructose, a monosaccharide, is naturally present in fruits and is used in many food products as a sweetener. This article reviews the properties and sources of fructose in the food supply, the estimated intake of fructose in Western diets, the intestinal absorption of fructose, and the metabolism of fructose and its effect on lipid and glucose metabolism. The health implications of increased consumption of fructose are discussed, and inborn errors of fructose metabolism are described.