Fruktoosia

Fruktoosia is a Swedish word that translates to "fructose" in English. Fructose is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) that is found naturally in many plants, fruits, and honey. It is one of the three most important simple sugars, along with glucose and galactose. Fructose is the sweetest of the naturally occurring sugars, which is why it is often used as a sweetener.

In food production, fructose is commonly found in high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), a liquid sweetener made from corn starch. HFCS is widely used in processed foods and beverages like sodas, candies, and baked goods. Fructose is also present in fruit juices and is a component of sucrose, also known as table sugar.

The human body metabolizes fructose primarily in the liver. Unlike glucose, fructose does not directly stimulate insulin secretion. While fructose provides energy, excessive consumption, particularly from processed sources like HFCS, has been linked to potential health concerns. These concerns include contributing to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and weight gain, especially when consumed in large quantities. Naturally occurring fructose in whole fruits is generally considered less problematic due to the presence of fiber, vitamins, and minerals that affect digestion and metabolism.