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Fructose is a simple sugar that is found both naturally, in honey and fruits, and in sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose<\/a> (table sugar). <\/p>\n<\/div>\n A recent review published in Consumption of fructose<\/a> has grown significantly over the past few centuries,<\/a> driven by the increased use<\/span> of sweeteners in the average diet. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Fructose can be problematic because it has twice the sweetness of glucose<\/a>. This may lead to increased cravings for more fructose-containing foods and drinks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cFructose found in these processed forms is not handled the same way as regular blood sugar,\u201d said Michelle Routhenstein<\/a>, preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished, who wasn\u2019t involved in the study. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWhen it is consumed, it goes to the liver, where it easily turns into fat, which can build up in the liver and around the organs and contribute to conditions like fatty liver and metabolic syndrome,\u201d she told Healthline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Unlike glucose, fructose has unique metabolic effects. These effects may help contribute to obesity and related conditions. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cThe emerging body of research suggests that fructose is not metabolically identical to all other carbohydrates, especially when it is consumed in excess through sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods,\u201d said Serena Poon<\/a>, certified nutritionist & longevity wellness advisor. Poon wasn\u2019t involved in the study. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cExcess calories still matter, but fructose may affect metabolism differently than other sugars, particularly in the liver \u2026 In my view, this supports a more nuanced conversation because it is not just about sugar in the abstract, but also about the form, dose, and dietary context in which fructose is consumed,\u201d Poon told Healthline.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The review highlights how the metabolism of fructose bypasses key regulatory steps in the energy processing pathways. This can have various effects, including: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n The review points out that fructose metabolism can contribute to more than metabolic syndrome. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n It has associations with: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cHigh intakes of ultra-processed or concentrated fructose can also raise uric acid and increase oxidative stress<\/a>,\u201d said Routhenstein. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n