The following symptoms and complaints may indicate fructose intolerance (fructose intolerance):
Leading symptoms (postprandial* /postmeal).
- Meteorism (flatulence/discharge of winds).
- Nausea (nausea)
- Diarrhea (diarrhea)
- Nonspecific abdominal pain (e.g., cramp-like discomfort).
Other possible symptoms or complaints:
- Hypoglycemia* * (hypoglycemia; in young children).
- Sweating, tremors, lethargy* * .
- Cephalgia (headache)
- Seizures* * [rare]
* Due to the rapid gastrointestinal passage of carbohydrates, symptomatology often begins after 30 minutes and may persist for up to 6-9 hours after food ingestion.* * Hereditary fructose intolerance.
In infants, after ingestion of fructose-containing foods, symptoms first appear during the transition to formula or to a sucrose-containing follow-on formula.
Adults without fructose intolerance tolerate 30 g or more of fructose per day well; in fructose intolerance, this amount leads to the above-mentioned symptomatology. The threshold of tolerance varies widely among individuals.
Warning signs (red flags)
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Blood loss
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
