title: Fructose and Fructans: Opposite Effects on Health?
abstract: Fructans are fructose-based oligo-and polysaccharides of natural origin. Fructan and fructose species are sometimes confused by the great public, although they clearly have different biochemical and physiological properties. This review discusses aspects of the use of fructose and fructans in foods in the context of human health, with possible differential effects on cellular autophagy in cells of the human body. Although there are uncertainties on the daily levels of ingested fructose to be considered harmful to human health, there is an emerging consensus on the benefits of the use of fructans in functional foods, sustaining health via direct immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects or through indirect, prebiotic mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12/2, 8010, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Bartolomeo
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van den Ende
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005630:Fructans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056692:Prebiotics; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005630:Fructans; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D056692:Prebiotics; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D005632:Fructose