Since the earliest times, man has relied greatly on carbohydrates for their energy needs. Fructose was accidentally discovered by Harden and Young in the early 20th century. They called the sugar diphosphate as Harden-Young Ester but later on, it was discovered that the compound was actually fructose.
Carbohydrates have always been part of the regular diet of humans. Around twenty years ago, people started using fructose for beverages and foods. Many researchers and scientists prefer to use the crystalline fructose because of the compounds usefulness in the food industry. The compound is obtained from sucrose industries and corn wet milling.
Many people confuse HFCS or high fructose corn syrup and crystalline fructose. These two have different chemical compositions; hence have different physiological responses and food applications. Studies reveal that the use of HFS is considered as GRAS or generally recognized as safe.
Recent allegations have suggested that obesity in the US is mainly due to fructose. However, researchers claim that such allegations lack experimentation and had little significance to the human diet. In fact, the unique functionality and sweetness of fructose can be used to help people in designing low-calorie meals and beverages for a healthier lifestyle.
Fructose has many benefits. The first obvious benefit is sweetness. In comparison to other nutritive sweeteners, fructose is considered as the sweetest. It can be a great flavor enhancer, and is also offers shelf stability. You can expect finished products to last longer. The solubility and resistance to crystallization of fructose allows the production of soft and moist cookies or other similar products. Fructose is a simple sugar and it is highly reactive which gives roasted and baked foods their pleasing brown color.
People with diabetes won’t have many problems with fructose because it has a low GI (glycemic index). Diabetes patients can easily stick with their strict meal plans to avoid further complications. However, you have to make sure that you keep the consumption moderate.
To take advantage of the stability and palatability of products, fructose is an important component. Most of today’s beverages and foods contain fructose like confections, fruit packs, yogurt, baked goods, breakfast cereals, chocolate milk, energy or sports drinks, flavored water, and other carbonated drinks.
You have to determine the foods that contain natural fructose. A good example is agave. If you plan to lose weight, you can use agave to avoid artificial sweeteners and table sugar. Honey is also a great source of fructose. Studies reveal that regular consumption of honey can help prevent cancer. You can also try eating dates. Dates not only have fructose but also B vitamins, potassium, fiber, iron, and calcium. If you want to regulate your blood pressure, the potassium content in dates can help.
Some fruits and vegetables also contain natural fructose. It is best to avoid high fructose corn syrup and stick with the natural fructose. Commercial sugars are unhealthy especially when the use is not regulated. The natural fructose has a lower GI, much lower than sucrose or glucose. If you are diagnosed with diabetes, it is best to use fructose because it helps in regulating the insulin levels.
*** Image source: Wikipedia
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