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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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