Sucrose Vs. Fructose

Fructose and sucrose are both sugars. Both are common and found naturally in a number of food substances. They are both carbohydrates, but in the simple sugar form. Both these types of sugar are processed to be used in commercially prepared food products. Since there are a number of similarities between fructose and sucrose, there is always the sucrose vs. fructose debate. To understand the difference between the two types of sugar, we will first read on each one of them and then turn towards the differences.

What is Sucrose?

What we commonly call table sugar is nothing but the organic compound sucrose. It is also known as saccharose. It is white, crystalline powder, odorless but sweet in taste. Human beings have been consuming sucrose for a very long period of time. The molecule, which makes sucrose is a disaccharide, which means sucrose is made form two units of sugar. The two molecules, which make sucrose are actually derived from glucose and fructose. The molecular formula of sucrose is C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁. It is one of the main ingredient used in confectionery and desserts. It is also used a food preservative.

What is Fructose?

Fructose is also referred to as fruit sugar. It is a monosaccharide, which is found in a number of food items. It makes up the trio of important dietary monosaccharides with glucose and galactose. It is white solid substance, which dissolves easily in water. Of all the sugars it is the most water soluble. It is commonly found in honey, fruits, berries, melons, some of the root vegetables, etc. It is one of the component molecule of sucrose. The chemical formula of fructose is C₆H₁₂O₆ There is often the confusion that crystalline fructose and high fructose corn syrup are the same.

Sucrose Vs. Fructose

After reading about sucrose and fructose, we will now find out the difference between sucrose and fructose. While fructose is found naturally in fruits and vegetables and honey, sucrose is derived from maple syrup, beets and sugar cane. There is no difference between the energy content in sucrose and fructose, and both of them contain 4 calories of energy per gram. However, fructose is sweeter as compared to sucrose, therefore one has to use fructose in lesser quantities for the same kind of sweetness as that of sucrose. This is the reason, why fructose is often referred to as low calorie sweetener.

There is a difference in the digestion and absorption process of sucrose and fructose. When you consume fructose, the intestine absorbs it without it undergoing any digestion process. The digestive enzymes present in the intestine are able to absorb monosaccharrides instantaneously. However, when you consume sucrose or disaccharides, the digestive enzyme sucrase has to divide it into fructose and glucose. It is only after the division, that the body is able to digest sucrose.

Sucrose contains one molecule of glucose. Therefore, when sucrose is consumed it triggers release of insulin. It is when insulin is released that the glucose from the blood is taken up. On the other hand, there is not much of insulin release after the consumption of fructose.

When fructose is consumed, it is said that it behaves like fat. This behavior is seen in respect to the hormones, which help in body weight regulation. This is attributed to the fact, that there is no insulin secretion after consumption of fructose, or increase in production of leptin. Therefore, the body treats fructose as fat and it is often attributed to weight gain and also insulin resistance. It can also lead to impaired glucose tolerance. Consumption of high amounts of sucrose leads to diabetes and obesity.

I hope with this write up, you now know the difference between sucrose and fructose. It is best not to consume both fructose and sucrose in large quantities to avoid the side effects of each one of them. Depending on your health, it is best to consult your health care professional, before you start or stop consuming any one of them.