Fructose Metabolism

Fructose metabolism occurs mainly in the liver, kidney and small intestine.

Fructose is absorbed rapidly by a carrier mechanism that facilitates transport across the intestinal epithelium; this process is mediated by the glucose transporter isoform, GLUT5 and GLUT2.

Fructose is slowly absorbed, then assimilated in the liver and metabolized by the body, independent of insulin production, and does not cause rapid rises in blood glucose after ingestion.

Therefore fructose does not promote the secretion of insulin.

It is therefore, suitable for diabetics and also for use in drinks intended to act as a lower more sustained energy source.

Owing it to limited effect on blood glucose, it is a low glycaemic index sweetener (compared with glucose).

This is an area of increased nutritional interest and may be a stimulus to the greater use of fructose in drinks.

Three liver enzymes allow fructose to be assimilated into pathways of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and glycogen synthesis.

Fructose has also been shown to have an increase satiety effect, compared with other sweeteners.

About ten percent of the calories contained in the Western diet are supplied by fructose.
Fructose Metabolism