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Fructose:
fact fiction versus
The benefits of fructose
n recent years, food and bever-
However, the confusion surrounding
age manufacturers have often
sweeteners makes it especially challeng-
Fructose is a monosaccharide found naturally
found themselves caught in the
ing for manufacturers to satisfy changing
in many foods, including fruits, vegetables
middle of shifting attitudes and
consumer attitudes while meeting their
and honey. It is the sweetest of all naturally
consumer confusion surrounding
own formulation and operational needs.
occurring carbohydrate sweeteners. Besides
sweeteners.
For example, fructose, a naturally occurring
providing sweetness, fructose enhances
On the one hand, consumers want
carbohydrate sweetener that offers many
flavour, mixes well with other sweeteners
great taste. It’s the top driver for food and
functional benefits to food and beverage
and starches, has higher solubility than
beverage purchase decisions. On the other
manufacturers, has recently come under
sucrose, improves humectancy and protects
hand, many consumers worldwide have
increased scrutiny. It seems to be suffer-
fruit textures in frozen foods.
made reducing sugar and calorie intake a
ing from a case of mistaken identity among
top priority. For instance, a recent survey
consumers.
The higher sweetness potency of fructose also delivers a faster sweetness response.
found that 47% of consumers’ purchasing
If consumers knew the facts about
This gives manufacturers the ability to reduce
decisions were significantly impacted when
fructose, they would better understand that
total calories by using fructose in place of
products claimed to have low/reduced/
it helps to reduce calories and sugar while
less sweet carbohydrates and sugars. Ad-
no sugar; 44% were influenced by low-/
providing the same great taste and texture
ditionally, fructose works well in sweetener
reduced-calorie claims.
they expect from full-calorie/-sugar products.
synergies with nutritive and non-nutritive
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PREPARED FOOD - April 2017 | 39
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