[neverdem]

Fructose is by far a healthier sweetener than refined white sugar. (glucose) which is the real monster behind diseases like diabetes.

Table sugar is the disaccharide sucrose which is hydrolyzed to glucose and fructose. Check the second link in comment# 1, Fructose, insulin resistance, and metabolic dyslipidemia. Scroll way down to "Figure 2 Hepatic fructose metabolism: A highly lipogenic pathway." Enlarge it. Fructose is quickly metabolized into the glycerine, aka glycerol, spine of triglycerides.

I used to think glucose and fructose were essentially the same. Don't feel bad. My major in college was chemistry with a course in biochem and a research course in biochem during another semester, besides what I took in med school.

[Nathan Zachary]

Refined White (cane) sugar is sucrose. period. As I said, pure fructose is far better for you that any combination of sucrose/glucose and fructose, like corn syrop and white sugars made from sugar beets.

Cane sugar is the ultimate poison however.

Some white table sugars are as you say, contain both sucrose/glucose and fructose because the plant they are are refined from contain them as well. (beets, sweet potatoes, parsnips, onions).

Honey, tree fruits, melons, berries etc. also contain amounts of glucose/ sucrose, but are mostly fructose. Generally they are considered healthy, unless of course you over indulge, like anything else.

[MoochPooch]

I’m curious . . . what about maple syrup? What kind of sugar is that? (I just bought a bottle — had a crazving for pancakes.)