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Consequences of incomplete carbohydrate absorption from fruit juice consumption in infants

C R Cole1, R Rising, F Lifshitz

  • 1Research Institute, Miami Children's Hospital, Fla 33155, USA.

Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|October 16, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Fruit juices with sorbitol, like pear juice, can cause carbohydrate malabsorption in infants, leading to increased physical activity and metabolic rate. White grape juice is a better alternative for infant nutrition.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Gastroenterology
  • Infant Metabolism

Background:

  • Many infants consume fruit juices early, posing potential risks.
  • Sorbitol in fruit juices may lead to asymptomatic carbohydrate malabsorption.
  • Increased physical activity and metabolic rate are hypothesized to link with carbohydrate malabsorption.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between carbohydrate malabsorption and physical activity/metabolic rate in infants.
  • To compare the effects of pear juice (sorbitol, high fructose-glucose) and white grape juice (sorbitol-free, low fructose-glucose).

Main Methods:

  • 14 healthy infants (5.1 months avg. age) underwent a 3-hour respiratory chamber study.
  • Infants were fed either pear juice or white grape juice after a 2-hour fast.
  • Carbohydrate absorption assessed via breath hydrogen analysis; study was double-blinded.

Main Results:

  • Carbohydrate malabsorption occurred in 5/7 infants fed pear juice and 2/7 fed white grape juice (P < .01).
  • Malabsorption linked to increased physical activity (P < .001) and metabolic rate (P < .05).
  • Only pear juice consumption correlated with increased physical activity (P < .01).

Conclusions:

  • Infant carbohydrate malabsorption is linked to higher physical activity and metabolic rates.
  • Pear juice, containing sorbitol and high fructose, was associated with malabsorption in most infants.
  • Fruit juices with sorbitol and high fructose may not be optimal for young infants.
Abstract

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