Sensitivity to common sugars like fructose often goes undiagnosed. This may result in stomach upsets, bloating, and intestinal distress. If you suffer from fructose malabsorption, you may feel weak and bloated after consuming certain foods, mainly fruits, and vegetables. In this case, you should get tested to identify the source of your digestive discomfort.
What is Fructose Intolerance?
Also known as fructose malabsorption, this condition affects your fructose digestion process in the intestines. It prevents your body from digesting fructose, making it unable to digest and absorb it as energy. There are different fructose-rich foods; these include fruits, vegetables, honey, high fructose corn syrup, and many more.
As we all know, most nutrients are absorbed in the small intestines, and having fructose intolerance makes this tricky. Instead of absorbing the fructose in the small intestine, your body will allow the undigested fructose to pass to the colon.
What are the signs?
There are various ways to tell whether you’re intolerant to fructose. But the only way to be sure of this is through a fructose test. Nevertheless, the common symptoms of intolerance include;
- Bloating
Bloating results from improper digestion; normally, digestion begins in the mouth and ends in the small intestines. When you swallow food, it travels through the digestive tract and combines with digestive secretions, where it’s broken down into smaller bits.
The tiny food molecules are then absorbed into the bloodstream through intestinal walls. However, when you suffer from fructose malabsorption, your body won’t break down fructose molecules. Instead of absorbing fructose, it will allow it to pass to the colon. This permits bacteria to attack the fructose molecules, which release gas causing, leading to swelling and bloating.
- Stomach cramps
Since your body has issues breaking down fructose molecules, your small intestines will allow it to pass through the digestive tract while undigested. This can result in pain, discomfort, and swelling, leading to stomach cramps and aches.
- Diarrhea
Diarrhea is one of the most common fructose intolerance sign. It results from undigested food particles and excess waste. Undigested fructose in the small intestines may also lead to the liquefaction of other contents in your intestines resulting in watery bowel movement. Also, fermentation in the colon and bacteria attacks to undigested fructose results in the production of gases. And this leads to excessive bloating and diarrhea.
- Iron deficiency
A high amount of ingested food may contain high fructose molecules. If you have an unknown fructose intolerance condition, the nutrients will go unabsorbed, leading to iron malabsorption. This will lead to iron deficiency, which exhibits in the form of fatigue and unusual tiredness.
Why get checked?
Fructose intolerance will exhibit different uncomfortable signs but may also affect your health. This will bring about other complicated health conditions, and getting tested helps manage the condition early enough. Also, testing avoids costly treatments and procedures, which may be necessary when the condition worsens.
Wrapping up
There are many signs of fructose intolerance and knowing them goes a long way. If you suffer from this condition, discuss your dietary options with your doctor or nutritionist to ensure better absorption and improved health.
