Fructose is a simple sugar found naturally in fruit and honey. It is also manufactured industrially and sold as a sweetener.

Fructose:

• has more sweetening power than white sugar (sucrose), requiring a smaller amount to get the same sweet taste;

• has less of an impact on blood glucose (sugar) levels than white sugar.

Daily consumption of up to 60 g of fructose (from foods or beverages with added fructose) as a substitute for an equal amount of sucrose does not generally cause adverse effects in most people with diabetes.

However, daily consumption of more than 60 g of fructose in its added form is not recommended, given its impact on blood triglycerides . High triglyceride levels can affect the health of the heart and arteries.

Note: consuming more than 50 g of fructose per day can cause abdominal pain, gas, bloating and even diarrhea.