Effects of Sugar Content in Fruits for Body

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Fruit naturally contains sugar, such as fructose and glucose. A nutritionist and founder of Osinga Nutrition from Canada, Nicole Osinga, explains that the human body metabolizes both types of sugar differently.

Fructose or commonly known as fruit sugar tastes sweeter than glucose. It is absorbed in the small intestine and enters the bloodstream before getting to the liver. This sugar will be processed to be glucose for energy, and so it has a positive and negative effect on the body.

“The pro is that eating fructose doesn’t raise blood glucose or insulin levels, both of which—when elevated above the normal range—are thought to contribute to a variety of diseases ranging from heart disease to obesity to several forms of cancer,” said Nicole.

Read also: 9 Indonesian Local Fruits and Its Health Benefits

However, consuming a higher quantity of fructose than the liver’s capacity will increase the cholesterol and triglycerides that possibly cause diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and fatty liver.

Meanwhile, glucose is a simple sugar or carbohydrate used as an energy reserve. It is absorbed by the colon and needs insulin to get into the bloodstream as to be metabolized. Glucose increases blood sugar by stimulating insulin.

“The glucose that our body doesn’t need right then is stored to try to keep our glucose levels as stable as possible all day long,” she added.

The high blood sugar level in the body for a long time may increase the risk of stroke, kidney damage, heart problems, until the nerve system.

Generally, fruits are safe to consume as it riches of fiber and vitamin needed for the body in addition to natural sugar. However, high intake of sugar from fruits and other products must be concerned. Choose fruits with low sugar level if you have consumed foods loaded with sweet.

TABLOID BINTANG