Fructose is one of the most commonly used sugars in a wide array of foods. Fructose naturally occurs in fruits, honey and syrup, but is also man-made and added to sweets, beverages and baked goods. If you develop digestive symptoms after eating foods or drinking beverages that contain fructose, you may be fructose intolerant. If diagnosed with fructose intolerance, you need to eliminate all fructose from your diet to prevent further complications. Talk with a gastroenterologist to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Fructose Intolerance
Fructose intolerance is a hereditary condition that can cause mild to severe symptoms. If your mom and dad are both fructose intolerant, you have a 25 percent chance of being intolerant of fructose, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The condition is caused by the inability to break down the fructose during digestion, making it difficult for the body to absorb the sugar. This occurs when your body lacks the enzyme that simplifies fructose. The undigested fructose can cause your blood sugar to drop suddenly and trigger harmful chemical reactions that can affect your liver.
Symptoms
Symptoms of fructose intolerance can begin with mild signs that are similar to other food intolerances. These may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, abdominal cramping, gas and bloating. As the condition worsens, your symptoms can become more drastic and can include convulsions, sleepiness, irritability, excessive vomiting, yellow skin, yellow eyes and kidney or liver disease. If you experience bleeding, gout, pain in your back, low blood sugar or seizures, you need to see a doctor immediately.
Foods to Avoid
Most foods that are processed or packaged and have the word "sugar" on the packaging contain fructose. Eliminating all fructose from your diet may be difficult because it is found in such a wide variety of foods. To avoid fructose, you should avoid foods that contain sucrose, or basic table sugar, because fructose is a basic component in sucrose. You should also avoid high-fructose corn syrup, fruit juices, fruit, honey, soda, powdered sugars, flavored water and flavored milk beverages. Work with a registered dietitian to determine a well-balanced diet that does not contain fructose.
Considerations
Most symptoms of fructose intolerance begin during childhood. If your child refuses to eat, becomes yellowish in color or vomits after eating fruit, call your doctor right away. The most effective way to prevent further complications is to avoid consuming fructose. The most common complication if fructose intolerance goes undiagnosed is liver failure. Use sugar-free foods and substitutes to effectively avoid fructose.
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