FRUCTOSE;

IS IT AN IDEAL SWEETENING AGENT

Abstract

Objectives: To study and compare the effects of fructose and galactose on, blood
glucose, insulin, HbA and lipids and anthropometric measurements. Data Source: Ninety, 1c
healthy adult male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain. Design: Experimental study. Setting:
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, A.M.C, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with
N.I.H, Islamabad. Period: Twelve months. Subjects and Methods: Rats weighing 180-350 grams
were selected by random sampling and were divided into three groups, 30 each. Group I was
given standard diet, Group II was given high fructose diet (HFD), i.e., 1.5gms/Kg body weight/day
of fructose, along with standard diet for two weeks and Group III was given high galactose diet,
i.e., 0.83gms/Kg body weight/day, along with standard diet for two weeks. Results: There was a
significant increase in height of galactose group while fructose group has significant weight loss;
BMI decreased in both but more in former. The blood levels of cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, TG, and
insulin were significantly higher in fructose group than in galactose group. There was no
significant difference between blood glucose and HbA among these groups yet their higher 1c
levels indicate the chances of developing insulin resistance. Conclusions: Fructose due to its
less hyperglycaemic effects should not be used in diet and must not be prescribed in diabetes, as
in the long run it can lead to obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular risk. Non-significant effects
of galactose on above parameters (except lipoproteins), does not mean that it can be used as an
alternative to fructose and this area needs exploration.