Role of fructose in body functions: An overview

The consumption of fructose has increased considerably in the world during the last decades. Excessive fructose consumption may be responsible in part for the increasing prevalence of obesity, non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus. Fructose promotes the formation of toxic advanced glycation end-products (AGE'S), which appear to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis, aging process; and in the pathogenesis of vascular, renal and ocular complication of diabetes; Fructose has also been implicated as the main cause of symptoms in some patients with chronic diarrhea or other functional bowel disturbances (IBS). Although the long term effects of fructose consumption have not been adequately studied in humans, the available evidence suggests it may be more harmful than is generally recognized.