“Fruits Harmful to the Liver: Understanding Excess Fructose and its Symptoms”

Fruits harmful to the liver, which contain a lot of fructose. Mihaela Bilic explains why excess fructose is harmful and what symptoms occur.

Even if they are recommended daily, fruits should not be consumed in excess! But what is excess and what problems arise in this situation? And what are the fruits to eat sparingly?

According to nutritionist Mihaela Bilic, excess fruit can lead to fructose intolerance. This phenomenon is an acquired one, as a result of the increase in the consumption of fruits rich in fructose over time. And the symptoms are not foreign at all: bloating, diarrhea, fatty liver, high cholesterol.

Signs of fructose intolerance

“We all know that gluten or lactose intolerance exists, but it’s hard to believe that fruit can also cause intolerance. Well, many people suffer from fructose malabsorption syndrome.

Very rarely is it a serious problem or a congenital disease, the most frequent intolerance occurs as a result of an excess of fructose in the diet!

Our bodies were not designed to metabolize this much fructose. Nature did not think that we will consume fruits in abundance, every day!

Sugar from fruits is processed exclusively in the liver and if we exceed an intake of 50 grams/day we risk a metabolic imbalance with the appearance of fat deposits on the abdomen and an increased level of triglycerides in the blood,” says the doctor.

Until 50 years ago, the average intake of fructose was 15-25 grams/day, and today it is closer to 80-100 grams, especially in the US and South America. Where does fructose come from? From fruit, honey and sugar, which is a mixture of glucose and fructose.

Other signs that may suggest fructose intolerance are: bloating, diarrhea, fatty liver, belly fat, etc.

Harmful fruits for the liver

According to the doctor, the “champion” fruits in terms of abundant fructose are 3 in number, namely: cherries, grapes and melons.

“In order not to tire the liver, we must reduce the consumption of honey and sugar. As for fruits, let’s eat them fresh, chewed with all the pulp, not turned into juice. In this way, fructose is absorbed gradually and in smaller amounts.”

Consumed in excess (over 500 grams of fruit/day), fructose takes the way of alcohol metabolism and leads to abdominal fat, fatty liver and high cholesterol.

“We find the largest amount of fructose in juices, regardless of whether it is fresh, natural or carbonated juices.

Although it still has 4 calories/gram, like meat protein and flour starch, fructose is more fattening than the calories it contains. We cannot use fructose as energy for movement, it is raw material for fattening!

If you’re not losing weight and you’re feeling bloated, it could be that you’re eating too much fruit. Fruit is not a staple food, but a natural and healthy dessert.

It is eaten in moderation, for the pleasure of the taste. And if you want an intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber, then eat vegetables, they are not fattening and do not contain fructose”, adds Dr. Bilic.

Other fruits with a high sugar content that should be eaten in moderation are: very ripe bananas, figs, mangoes.