Serum lipids, uric acid and glucose during chronic consumption of fructose and xylitol in healthy human subjects.

Rapid intravenous administration of fructose and xylitol to human subjects and experimental animals induces profound alterations in the intermediary metabolism. Similar, although less drastic changes are seen after peroral ingestion of large amounts of these sugars. On the other hand, metabolic studies carried out in connection of a 2-year clinical trial of the effects of xylitol and fructose on the development of dental caries (Turku Sugar Study) suggest that the chronic consumption of moderate amounts of these sugars is not accompanied by significant changes in blood chemistry. The lack of metabolic alterations in the long-term experiments is probably explained by slow absorption of fructose and xylitol from the intestine and/or the adaptation of the metabolic system during the chronic use of these sugars.