Fructose; is it an ideal sweetening agent?

ABSTRACT

To study and compare the effects of fructose and galactose on, blood glucose, insulin, HbA[1c] and lipids and anthropometric measurements. Ninety, healthy adult male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain. Experimental study. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, A.M.C, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with N.I.H, Islamabad. Twelve months. Rats weighing 180-350 grams were selected by random sampling and were divided into three groups, 30 each. Group I was given standard diet, Group II was given high fructose diet [HFD], i.e., 1.5gms/Kg body weight/day of fructose, along with standard diet for two weeks and Group III was given high galactose diet, i.e., 0.83gms/Kg body weight/day, along with standard diet for two weeks. There was a significant increase in height of galactose group while fructose group has significant weight loss; BMI decreased in both but more in former. The blood levels of cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, TG, and insulin were significantly higher in fructose group than in galactose group. There was no significant difference between blood glucose and HbA[1c] among these groups yet their higher levels indicate the chances of developing insulin resistance. Fructose due to its less hyperglycaemic effects should not be used in diet and must not be prescribed in diabetes, as in the long run it can lead to obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular risk. Non-significant effects of galactose on above parameters [except lipoproteins], does not mean that it can be used as an alternative to fructose and this area needs exploration