Although not as sweet as fruit, some vegetables have a sweet taste you may find appealing. The sweetness comes from a chemical called fructose, or fruit sugar. Vegetables contain different amounts of fructose, and different varieties of the same vegetable can be more or less sweet. Winter squash, such as acorn squash, contain fructose.
Acorn Squash
Acorn squash is a variety of winter squash; its name comes from the shape of the squash, which is similar to that of an acorn. The plant is a variety of Cucurbita pepo and grows in bush form. Acorn squash may be yellow, dark green tan, orange, creamy white or a combination of colors. A 1/2-cup serving of acorn squash contains 7 grams of carbohydrate and 2 grams of sugars, including fructose.
Fructose
Fructose is similar to glucose, the main source of energy for the body. Most complex sugars and carbohydrates break down into glucose during the digestive process. Fructose is a monosaccharide, or single sugar, while table sugar is a disaccharide – two monosaccharides linked together – but both provide a sweet taste. Table sugar, or sucrose, is a combination of equal parts of fructose and glucose. Fructose is metabolized by the liver, but does not need insulin to be used by the body.
Fructose and Fiber
Glucose is used for energy or may be stored, but fructose is quickly converted into stored body fat. Your body changes fructose into triglycerides, a type of lipid or blood fat. High triglycerides are associated with diabetes and heart disease. However, when you eat fructose as part of a food that contains fiber, the fiber slows absorption of the fructose. Acorn squash is a good source of fiber, according to Today's Dietitian, with 9 grams of fiber in a 1-cup serving.
Problems With Fructose
Although fructose in the diet is not a problem for a healthy person, some people have fructose intolerance, a rare genetic disorder. Others may have fructose malabsorption syndrome, which can lead to difficulty in digesting fructose. If you have either condition, you may need to limit your intake of foods that contain fructose. Acorn squash is not as high in fructose as fruit or honey, both of which are usually restricted on a fructose intolerance diet, but if it causes problems, speak with your doctor about whether or not you can continue to eat it.
References
- Fruits and Veggies More Matters: Acorn Squash: Nutrition Selection Storage
- University of Illinois: Winter Squash
- International Food Information Council Foundation: Questions and Answers About Fructose
- Your Health is on Your Plate: Fructose, Fiber, and High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Today's Dietician: The Top Fiber-Rich Foods List
- MayoClinic.com: Fructose Intolerance: Which foods Should I Avoid?
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