Interindividual Variability in Postprandial Plasma Fructose Patterns in Adults

Abstract

High fructose consumption is associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic disease, and fructose feeding dose-dependently induces markers reflective of poor metabolic health. However, unlike glucose, surprisingly little is known about person-to-person differences in postprandial plasma fructose patterns. Herein, we performed post hoc analyses of two published studies to address this question. In the first cohort, 16 participants’ all-day plasma fructose concentration patterns (08:00–23:30) were determined (8 women and 8 men) while consuming mixed meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) with a fructose-sweetened beverage at each meal (30% of calories). Individually plotted results demonstrate remarkably disparate fructose patterns with respect to peak concentration and timing. A secondary study confirmed substantial interindividual variability in plasma fructose patterns over 240 min in 16 adults consuming Ensure®, a commercially available mixed macronutrient drink containing a low dose of fructose. The health ramifications of interindividual variations in postprandial fructose metabolism and the underlying physiological mechanisms driving differences in post-meal blood patterns remain to be explored. Future research is warranted to determine if interindividual variability in fructose digestion, metabolism, and postprandial blood concentration patterns is associated with cardiometabolic health phenotypes and disease risk.