Fructose vs HFCS

Question 1

T or F: Fructose uses facilitated diffusion for digestion.

Answer 1

True.

Question 2

Why is fructose build up a problem?

Answer 2

It enters after the rate-limiting step of the glycolytic pathway and it uses a nonreversible fructokinase; thus, after build up it cannot be converted back to anything.

Question 3

T or F: Glucose digestion is not regulated.

Answer 3

False. Glucose digestion is regulated at multiple points which are reversible.

Question 4

What are some difference between glucose and fructose?

Answer 4

• Glucose stimulates insulin
• Glucose suppresses ghrelin
• Fructose goes through unregulated metabolism in the liver (allowing for the production of fatty acid substrates)

Question 5

What is the difference between NASH and Cirrhosis?

Answer 5

NASH involves fat accumulation, inflammation and scarring. Cirrhosis involves these, but the scar tissue replaces the liver cells.

Question 6

What fat is most associated with metabolic disease?

Answer 6

Visceral fat.

Question 7

What are the potential downsides to fructose in comparison to glucose?

Answer 7

• Increased liver fat
• Increased visceral adipose tissue
• Increased insulin resistance
• Increased insulin resistance

Question 8

Why do we use HFCS?

Answer 8

• Less expensive
• Transports easily
• Stabilizes texture of processed foods better than sucrose