Fructose in its refined crystalline form is detrimental to the healthy because it can cause the development of insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes, and their associated health problems. Fructose is absorbed from the gut by the intestinal GLUT5 transporter in the apical membrane of enterocytes and by GLUT2 in the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells. Evidence suggests that the presence of fructose in the gut can increase the expression of the GLUT transporters involved in its uptake, thereby providing a mechanism by which uptake can become more efficient in the presence of fructose. Evidence suggests that the flavonoids epicatechin-gallate extracted from green tea and ruboiside extracted from Chinese blackberry can both inhibit GLUT 5 transporters and thereby may limit fructose uptake. That flavonoids can inhibit the absorption of fructose may explain why the high fructose content of fruit is not damaging to the health, whereas fructose found in processed foods is likely to cause significant health problems. .
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
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