Watch out for fructose: how much fruit is healthy?

Household sugar consists of half fructose (fruit sugar) and half glucose (grape sugar). Fructose was long considered healthy because it does not increase blood sugar levels. It was particularly recommended for diabetics. But today we know that fructose is by no means beneficial to health. So how much fruit is healthy and how much fructose per day?

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Experts advise us to eat a portion of fruit twice a day. Many people don't manage that.

Effect of fructose on our body

Fructose stimulates the storage of fat as an energy source (this was only an advantage in earlier times of scarcity). And it does not fill us up. The desire to eat remains. Studies show: Excessive fructose consumption can increase cholesterol levels, blood pressure and the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

How much fruit is healthy?

Fruit is rich in fructose. But how much fruit is healthy? And should we therefore limit our consumption? No! On the contrary, most people eat far too little fruit. Two portions a day (and three portions of vegetables) are recommended. The harmful effects of fructose do not result from the consumption of melon & co. The main risk is the products of the food industry, especially sweetened soft drinks and cola drinks. The industry loves the sweetener fructose because it is sweeter than glucose and much cheaper.

So: eat fruit, but avoid soda & co. Ready-made mueslis, yoghurt drinks and other ready meals often contain fructose too.