Fructose Malabsorption

This form is also called intestinal fructose intolerance- which means the intolerance of fructose itself- and is the most common type of fructose intolerance.

Living with fructose malabsorption is hard, but not impossible. When suffering from this type of intolerance, one cannot process the fructose found in fruits, vegetables or grain products properly. This inability of processing leads to several afflictions, such as diarrhea, general body pains, flatulence or stomach aches.

How can one live with fructose malabsorption and feel safe when keeping a healthy diet? The answer is simple: with products that contain a low concentration of fructose!

That’s why Frusano was founded. We want to ease the life of fructose-intolerant people. It all started with a simple analysis with products regarding their fructose content, finding that all of them contained a lot of fructose, after that we developed our own products. Today, we can offer you a wide range of fructose-free products for a healthy life!

What happens in a body suffering from fructose malabsorption?

Fructose intolerance is due to a defective transport mechanism in the small intestine. Because of an inoperative transport protein responsible for the absorption of fructose, the fructose is not adsorbed and reaches the colon.
The disfunction of the protein can be explained by hereditary or external factors. As the fructose can reach the colon, two problems occur inside the human body:

  • Water accumulates through osmosis in the small intestine. This causes diarrhea as the surplus liquid cannot be absorbed
  • Fructose is decomposed in the colon by bacteria forming short-chain fatty acids and gases. The consequence is flatulence, bloating, abdominal pains and the IBS, the irritable bowel syndrome

Identifying fructose malabsorption is quite easy today. By taking a completely painless breath test called Hydrogen Breath Test, short HBT, this type of fructose intolerance can easily be identified. In this test, one can see if the concentration of hydrogen in the breath coming out of the lungs increases. If it does, one can conclude that the fructose is not processed; therefore, the person is intolerant of fructose.
However, if there is the suspect of HFI, the affected person should avoid this test as it comes with a high risk for this group of people.

Healthy diet with fructose malabsorption

So far, there is no medical treatment for any type of fructose intolerance.
However, keeping a healthy and proper diet is still possible. There are some rules and things a by fructose malabsorption affected person needs to consider when planning how and what to eat.
Since a lot of fructose comes from sweetened foods, cutting food containing a lot of sugar can help a lot to appease the discomfort.

Consuming fructose should only come from fruits. Even with the consumption of those, fruits low in fructose should mostly be taken into consideration. Fruits of this type are, for example, strawberries or raspberries.
Vegetables that are low in their concentration of fructose are avocados or cucumber. In addition, people suffering from fructose malabsorption are reported to process rice, quinoa, full-fat milk products, meat, fish and eggs.

Frusano offers you a great supply of products that are either fructose-free or low in fructose. Most of our products are vegan, gluten-free and have a very low level of sorbit.
Thanks to our alternative sweeteners and fructose-free chocolate, marmalade, sweets and drinks even people affected by fructose intolerance can feast without any trouble.

Whether you are searching for inspiration or just want to try something new, on our website you will find the most inspiring recipes.

For more information about forbidden and allowed sweetener regarding intestinal fructose intolerance visit our types of sweetener!