Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Answers to your questions about fructose

I can see why you are confused. Heather does not address the problem of fructose clearly, particularly how it relates to fruit and fruit juices. However, on the BTC page you statements like the following acknowledging the problem with fructose:

"So do make sure you get the whole foods in your diet, but recognize that their insoluble fiber ( and fructose in the fruit, sulfur in the cruciferous vegetables, etc.) pose challenges to IBS folks and don't be afraid to eat the high soluble fiber foods first and foremost."

"The high fructose content plus the carbonation is a deadly ticket to digestive distress."

"Refined table sugar, a stimulant which can negatively affect fibromyalgia, is not a problem for IBS (though certain sugars, such as fructose and lactose, often are) but neither is it helpful, so it can simply be omitted from your diet."

"The worst drinks are those that contain other triggers as well, such as carbonation (beer, champagne), coffee, dairy (pina coladas, creme liqueurs), or fruit juices that are high in fructose ."

"Unfortunately, they're sweetened with fructose . This means that while they may be a tolerable drink for some, for others who are prone to diarrhea, gas, or bloating from fructose , they're not a safe bet."

There are many reports and reviews in the medical research that discuss the problems of fructose malabsorption in individuals with GI disorders such as IBS. You can start by reading the information on this web page and this review paper. Individuals with fructose problems should avoid the fruits listed in Table 1 where there is more fructose than glucose in them. There is also a comprehensive table at the end of the page on this web site. Individuals that are sensitive to fructose should avoid foods in the table where the value for fructose (see column 5) is greater than the value for glucose (see column 3).

Here are the answers to your second set of questions:

- I rarely eat out but when I do I only order a grilled chicken breast with white rice and steamed or boiled carrots. I find I can order this in almost any restaurant in North America and Europe.
- Either I make my own syrup from white or brown sugar to which I might add some safe berry juice or I use pure corn syrup which only contains glucose.
- I select fruits from those that are listed as okay in this posting.
- I only eat sweets that use sucrose (white sugar), glucose or corn syrup as a sweetener. I avoid all sweets that contain HFCS, molasses, honey and fruits or fruit juices high in fructose.

In summary, I follow the EFI diet with exception that I avoid fruits, juices, syrups, sugars and sauces that contain HFCS or fruits high in fructose.

Good luck

--------------------
STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS

The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS

Print Remind Me Notify Moderator