Not just allergies and nitrates: the dangers of fruit have been revealed

Contrary to popular belief that fruit is good for our bodies, excessive consumption of fruit can cause serious health problems.

Nutritionist Vira Palamar wrote about this on her Facebook page.

According to a nutritionist, in the wake of the trend for healthy eating, some people have begun to doubt the health benefits of fruit. The reason for this is the high fructose content in fruits compared to other foods. ⠀

"Our body and every living cell on Earth contain and produce glucose. Glucose is the most important source of fast energy for the body. However, the situation with fructose is different. The human body does not contain fructose in its chemical composition and does not produce it. Fructose enters our body only from the outside," the nutritionist said, reminding that any cell in our body can use glucose as a source of fast energy, but it should be remembered that fructose is absorbed only by liver cells. ⠀

"American scientists claim that a high-calorie diet high in fructose can lead to obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty hepatosis, and even cancer. This is explained by the fact that the liver, overloaded with calories and fructose, has time to process only a small amount of fructose into glucose," Palamar said, emphasizing that the rest of the fructose is converted into fats. ⠀

According to a nutritionist, fructose does not affect the feeling of satiety like glucose. We do not feel full and eat more. ⠀

"Fruits contain not only fructose. Fruits contain a huge amount of vitamins, fiber, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients (plant compounds that have a positive effect on our body). Where else can you get such a set for some paltry 75 calories per serving?" the doctor noted, emphasizing that soluble fiber, which is found in large quantities in fruits, lowers cholesterol, slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, promotes rapid satiety, and helps to reduce weight.

According to a nutritionist, consuming fructose in large quantities is harmful to our body, but it is simply impossible to exceed the permissible amount of fructose by eating fruit. It's extremely difficult to eat an amount of fruit equivalent to a bar of milk chocolate in terms of sugar content. ⠀

The nutritionist noted that when eating fruit, one should be guided not by calories but by the glycemic index. The higher this index is, the higher the blood sugar level rises. This means a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

According to Palamar, each fruit raises sugar levels in its own way. "Apples (54), oranges (63), and grapes (66) have a relatively low index. Apricots (82) and bananas (94) have a higher index. The highest index is for watermelon (103) and dates (141)," the nutritionist said, emphasizing that if you do not suffer from fructose intolerance and are not on a low-carb diet, fruits should be included in your diet. However, it is worth remembering that everything is good in moderation.