Fructose before weaning: why avoid taking it?

Key words: Fructose, Hereditary Fructose Intolerance, Childhood obesity, Weaning, Infant feeding

In the last few decades there has been a considerable increase in fructose and sweeteners consumption. At the same time, there has been an increase in childhood obesity and an ever more evident correlation between high fructose intake and obesity risk. Fructose, sucrose and sorbitol are toxic sugars for patients with Hereditary Fructose Intolerance (HFI), a rare disease in which early exposure to these carbohydrates can cause severe reactions, which are potentially lethal. The promotion of “fructose-free” diet before weaning could be a preventive measure for both childhood obesity and serious reactions due to early exposure to fructose in infants with HFI. On the other hand, it is not documented that an early introduction of fructose before weaning provides nutritional benefits for infants.