Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

The USDA Nutrient Laboratories database available at

http://www.ars.usda.gov/main/site_main.htm?modecode=12354500

shows that 100 grams of watermelon contains 6.2 grams of sugar of which 1.21 is sucrose, 1.58 is glucose (dextrose) and 3.36 grams is fructose. Watermelon like most melons contains a high amount of fructose. In fact there is more than twice as much free fructose compared to free glucose. It is a high fructose food.

Recently it has been shown that a large percentage of individuals that have inexplicable GI problems such as IBS test positive for fructose malabsorption.

Fructose is a simple sugar. When a molecular of fructose combines with a molecule of glucose (dextrose) it forms a molecule of sucrose or white sugar. Many individuals with fructose malabsorption can tolerate some sugar because the fructose and glucose are in precisely equal amounts. The GI problems appear to be related to the ratio of the free glucose to free fructose.

I am highly fructose sensitive. Through experimentation I have found that I can tolerate most foods that contain less free fructose than free glucose. In very moderate amount I can handle some that have a bit more fructose than glucose. Unfortunately, the USDS food database does not give this information for many foods. I cannot eat watermelon.

For more information see

Choi, Y. K., F. C. Johlin, R. W. Summers, M. Jackson, and S. S. C. Rao, 2003: Fructose Intolerance: An Under-Recognized Problem. The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 98, 1348-1353.

Skoog, S. M. and A. E. Bharucha, 2004: Dietary Fructose and Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Review. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 99, 2046-2050.

http://www.bashaar.org.il/files/101022005111814.pdf

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Edited by Syl (07/16/06 05:32 PM)

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