hedelmäsokeri

Hedelmäsokeri, also known as fructose, is a simple sugar found naturally in fruits, honey, and some vegetables. It is one of the three monosaccharides, along with glucose and galactose, that are most important in nutrition. Fructose is significantly sweeter than glucose.

In the human body, fructose is primarily metabolized in the liver. Unlike glucose, its absorption and metabolism are not directly regulated by insulin. This can have implications for metabolic health, especially with high intake. Industrially, fructose is often produced from corn syrup and used as a sweetener in processed foods and beverages. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a common mixture of glucose and fructose.

While naturally occurring fructose in whole fruits is generally considered healthy due to the fiber and other nutrients present, excessive consumption of added fructose, particularly from processed sources, has been linked to various health concerns. These include increased risk of fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, and weight gain. The body's processing of fructose is different from that of glucose, and its metabolic pathways can contribute to these issues when intake is high.