Glucose and fructose have different chemical structures and how they affect the body. Photo: Ha May
What is Glucose?
Dr. Ekta Singhwal, M Sc, nutritionist (Ujala Cygnus Hospital, India) said: Glucose is a type of sugar that serves as the main source of energy for living organisms. It is the main component of carbohydrates. Therefore, it is found in many carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruits and vegetables.
What is fructose?
According to Dr. Ekta Singhwal, fructose is also a simple sugar, found in fruits, honey and some vegetables. It is also used as a sweetener in processed foods and beverages.
Difference between glucose and fructose
Dr. Ekta Singhwal analyzed that apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, cherries, pineapples, blueberries, strawberries, kiwis and mangoes are some of the fruits that contain glucose and fructose. Meanwhile, carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, peas, corn, bell peppers and tomatoes also have these sugars. So, clearly they are more or less similar, but there are still some differences between glucose and fructose.
1. Chemical structure
Glucose and fructose have the same chemical formula (C6H12O6), but their atoms are arranged differently, Dr. Ekta Singhwal explains. Because, glucose has a six-carbon ring structure, while fructose has a five-carbon ring structure. This structural difference affects how they are metabolized in the body.
2. Sweet taste
Dr. Ekta Singhwal confirmed that fructose is sweeter than glucose. This difference in sweetness will affect each person’s eating preferences and the use of these sugars in food and beverage processing will also be different.