Il Fruttosio è un componente naturale, un monosaccaride che si trova in natura in frutta, verdure, miele e si trova anche nel latte materno.

Ha pochissime calorie, solo 4 kcal per grammo e viene usato come sostituto dello zucchero nel settore alimentare.

E' da consumare con moderazione in quanto l'assunzione cronica di fruttosio può avere controindicazioni.

L'aggiunta di zuccheri è un fattore di rischio per l'obesità e le malattie metaboliche tra le quali il diabete mellito tipo 2, le malattie cardiovascolari e la steatosi epatica non alcolica (1).

Il consumo eccessivo di fruttosio è stato collegato, almeno parzialmente, ad una maggiore adiposità ed a disturbi metabolici rispetto ad altri zuccheri che sembrano essere particolarmente importanti durante i periodi critici della crescita e dello sviluppo infantile (2).

Bibliografia_________________________________________________________________________

(1) Welsh, J.A.; Sharma, A.; Cunningham, S.A.; Vos, M.B. Consumption of added sugars and indicators of cardiovascular disease risk among US adolescents. Circulation. 2011 Jan 25;123(3):249-57. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.972166. 

Abstract. Background: Whereas increased carbohydrate and sugar consumption has been associated with higher cardiovascular disease risk among adults, little is known about the impact of high consumption of added sugars (caloric sweeteners) among US adolescents. Methods and results: In a cross-sectional study of 2157 US adolescents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999 to 2004, dietary data from one 24-hour recall were merged with added sugar content data from the US Department of Agriculture MyPyramid Equivalents databases. Measures of cardiovascular disease risk were estimated by added sugar consumption level (< 10%, 10 to < 15%, 15 to < 20%, 20 to < 25%, 25 to < 30%, and ≥ 30% of total energy). Multivariable means were weighted to be representative of US adolescents and variances adjusted for the complex sampling methods. Daily consumption of added sugars averaged 21.4% of total energy. Added sugars intake was inversely correlated with mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (mmol/L) which were 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36 to 1.44) among the lowest consumers and 1.28 (95% CI 1.23 to 1.33) among the highest (P trend = 0.001). Added sugars were positively correlated with low-density lipoproteins (P trend =0.01) and geometric mean triglycerides (P trend = 0.05). Among the lowest and highest consumers, respectively, low-density lipoproteins (mmol/L) were 2.24 (95% CI 2.12 to 2.37) and 2.44 (95% CI 2.34 to 2.53), and triglycerides (mmol/L) were 0.81 (95% CI 0.74, 0.88) and 0.89 (95% CI 0.83 to 0.96). Among those overweight/obese (≥ 85th percentile body-mass-index), added sugars were positively correlated with the homeostasis model assessment (P linear trend = 0.004). Conclusion: Consumption of added sugars among US adolescents is positively associated with multiple measures known to increase cardiovascular disease risk.

(2) Goran, M.I.; Dumke, K.; Bouret, S.G.; Kayser, B.; Walker, R.W.; Blumberg, B. The obesogenic effect of high fructose exposure during early development. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2013 Aug;9(8):494-500. doi: 10.1038/nrendo.2013.108.

Abstract. Obesogens are compounds that disrupt the function and development of adipose tissue or the normal metabolism of lipids, leading to an increased risk of obesity and associated diseases. Evidence for the adverse effects of industrial and agricultural obesogens, such as tributyltin, bisphenol A and other organic pollutants is well-established. Current evidence suggests that high maternal consumption of fat promotes obesity and increased metabolic risk in offspring, but less is known about the effects of other potential nutrient obesogens. Widespread increase in dietary fructose consumption over the past 30 years is associated with chronic metabolic and endocrine disorders and alterations in feeding behaviour that promote obesity. In this Perspectives, we examine the evidence linking high intakes of fructose with altered metabolism and early obesity. We review the evidence suggesting that high fructose exposure during critical periods of development of the fetus, neonate and infant can act as an obesogen by affecting lifelong neuroendocrine function, appetite control, feeding behaviour, adipogenesis, fat distribution and metabolic systems. These changes ultimately favour the long-term development of obesity and associated metabolic risk.