fructose
Sweeteners
Is fructose high in polyols?
Find out whether fructose is high or low in polyols, see its exact rating, and check its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility all in one place.
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Sensitivity notes
Why polyols food checker matters
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
- Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
Triggers
Diets
Serving size, prep, and portion notes for fructose
Fructose is the sugar at the centre of the condition called fructose malabsorption. Pure crystalline fructose is all free fructose with no glucose to help carry it across the gut wall, so it is the textbook excess-fructose FODMAP. When the small intestine cannot keep up, the rest ferments in the colon and causes bloating, gas, cramping and diarrhoea.
Watch for
The definitional excess-fructose FODMAP: with no glucose alongside it, absorption fails easily and symptoms follow / A frequent trigger for bloating, wind, cramping and diarrhoea in anyone with fructose malabsorption, even in small amounts / Poorly suited to SIBO, where the extra fermentable sugar feeds bacterial overgrowth
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Polyols Guide
Everything you need to know about polyols sensitivity and smart food choices.
Polyols (sugar alcohols) are found naturally in some fruits and vegetables, and are used as artificial sweeteners. They're poorly absorbed and can cause digestive symptoms, especially in IBS sufferers.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Polyols sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in polyols and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Polyols, consider these strategies:
- 1Avoid sugar-free products with sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, maltitol
- 2Stone fruits are naturally high in polyols
- 3Cooking doesn't reduce polyol content
- 4Avocado portion size matters - small amounts may be fine
- 5Cauliflower and mushrooms are common triggers
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is fructose high in Polyols?
Polyols: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat fructose if I'm sensitive to Polyols?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check Fructose, Low Fermentation, and Inflammation next for a fuller picture.