Introduction:
At the end of 2011, the United Nations announced that for the first time in human history, non-communicable diseases have become a greater threat to human health than infectious diseases. Non-communicable diseases, primarily cardiovascular diseases which are directly associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, are a global crisis and the leading cause of death worldwide. Food choice and eating habits have changed dramatically in developed countries over the last few decades. The average diet has become richer in energy, saturated fatty acids and sugars. The World Health Organization recommends limiting intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total daily energy intake. Other recommendations suggest limiting the consumption of simple sugars to 5% of the overall caloric value of the diet. Although, the American Heart Association recommends reduction in the intake of added sugars. A prudent upper limit of intake for most women is no more than 100 calories per day and for most men is no more than 150 calories per day from added sugars. The top source of fructose are sugar-sweetened beverages, desserts, breakfast cereals and candy, containing usually glucose-fructose syrup, which requires an assessment of the effect of this sugar on the metabolic processes. This paper presents available data on the metabolic effects of over-consumption of fructose, which may be useful for practitioners.