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Cited by 80Muscle metabolism and nutritionDiet, Metabolism, and DiseaseSports Performance and Training

Fructose and Galactose Enhance Postexercise Human Liver Glycogen Synthesis

DÉCOMBAZ, JACQUES, JENTJENS, ROY, ITH, MICHAEL, SCHEURER, EVA, BUEHLER, TANIA, JEUKENDRUP, ASKER, BOESCH, CHRIS·2011·Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
DOI 10.1249/mss.0b013e318218ca5a
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Abstract

PURPOSE: Both liver and muscle glycogen stores play a fundamental role in exercise and fatigue, but the effect of different CHO sources on liver glycogen synthesis in humans is unclear. The aim was to compare the effect of maltodextrin (MD) drinks containing galactose, fructose, or glucose on postexercise liver glycogen synthesis. METHODS: In this double-blind, triple crossover, randomized clinical trial, 10 well-trained male cyclists performed three experimental exercise sessions separated by at least 1 wk. After performing a standard exercise protocol to exhaustion, subjects ingested one of three 15% CHO solutions, namely, FRU (MD + fructose, 2:1), GAL (MD + galactose, 2:1), or GLU (MD + glucose, 2:1), each providing 69 g CHO·h(-1) during 6.5 h of recovery. Liver glycogen changes were followed using (13)C magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS: Liver glycogen concentration increased at faster rates with FRU (24 ± 2 mmol·L(-1)·h(-1), P < 0.001) and with GAL (28 ± 3 mmol·L(-1)·h(-1), P < 0.001) than with GLU (13 ± 2 mmol·L(-1)·h(-1)). Liver volumes increased (P < 0.001) with FRU (9% ± 2%) and with GAL (10% ± 2%) but not with GLU (2% ± 1%, NS). Net glycogen synthesis appeared linear and was faster with FRU (8.1 ± 0.6 g·h(-1), P < 0.001) and with GAL (8.6 ± 0.9 g·h(-1), P < 0.001) than with GLU (3.7 ± 0.5 g·h(-1)). CONCLUSIONS: When ingested at a rate designed to saturate intestinal CHO transport systems, MD drinks with added fructose or galactose were twice as effective as MD + glucose in restoring liver glycogen during short-term postexercise recovery.

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Crossref · 10.1249/mss.0b013e318218ca5a

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  • Only two studies directly comparing glucose and fructose co-ingestion versus glucose only on post-exercise liver glycogen repletion provided carbohydrates at relatively high ingestion rates (>0.9 g/kg/h) recommended for optimal post-exercise glycogen repletion in athletes.

    “Only two of these studies provided carbohydrates at relatively high ingestion rates (>0.9 g/kg body mass/h) that have been recommended for optimal post‐exercise glycogen repletion in athletes (Decombaz et al. 2011; Fuchs et al. 2016).”

    From Fructose co‐ingestion to increase carbohydrate availability in athletes (2019) · cites this paper as Decombaz et al. 2011

  • When glucose is ingested alone, the rate of post-exercise liver glycogen repletion is approximately 3.5 g/h.

    “Based on these studies, it can be concluded that when glucose is ingested alone, the rate of post‐exercise liver glycogen repletion is ∼3.5 g/h.”

    From Fructose co‐ingestion to increase carbohydrate availability in athletes (2019) · cites this paper as Decombaz et al. 2011

  • When fructose is co-ingested with glucose (as free glucose and fructose or as sucrose), the rate of liver glycogen repletion may increase 2-fold to approximately 7.4 g/h.

    “When fructose is co‐ingested with glucose (either as free glucose and fructose or as sucrose), the rate of liver glycogen repletion may increase 2‐fold (∼7.4 g/h) (Decombaz et al. 2011; Fuchs et al. 2016).”

    From Fructose co‐ingestion to increase carbohydrate availability in athletes (2019) · cites this paper as Decombaz et al. 2011

  • The addition of either fructose or galactose to maltodextrin following exercise significantly enhanced the rate of hepatic glycogen synthesis compared with a combination of maltodextrin and glucose.

    “it was observed that the addition of either fructose or galactose to maltodextrin following exercise significantly enhanced the rate of hepatic glycogen synthesis compared with a combination of maltodextrin and glucose [28]”

    From Nutritional Strategies to Improve Post-exercise Recovery and Subsequent Exercise Performance: A Narrative Review (2025) · cites this paper as [28]

  • Coingesting galactose with maltodextrin resulted in comparable postexercise liver glycogen repletion to a fructose/maltodextrin condition, and double that of a glucose-only condition.

    “However, coingesting galactose with maltodextrin resulted in comparable postexercise liver glycogen repletion to a fructose/maltodextrin condition, and double that of a glucose-only condition [127]”

    From Nutritional Considerations for the Vegan Athlete (2023) · cites this paper as [127]

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Authors
DÉCOMBAZ, J., JENTJENS, R., ITH, M., SCHEURER, E., BUEHLER, T., JEUKENDRUP, A., & BOESCH, C.
Affiliations
  • Nestlé (Switzerland) (CH)
  • University of Bern (CH)
  • University of Birmingham (GB)
ORCID
Venue
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2011-10
Volume
43
Issue
10
Pages
1964-1971
ISSN
0195-9131 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1249/mss.0b013e318218ca5a
OpenAlex
W1547540808
Cited by
80
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 3
FWCI
2.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • BORIS (University Library Bern) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diet, Metabolism, and Disease
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
Keywords
liver glycogen synthesis, fructose, galactose, glucose, maltodextrin, carbohydrate intake, post-exercise recovery, carbohydrate drinks, cyclists
MeSH terms
Adult, Beverages, Bicycling, Dietary Carbohydrates, Exercise Test, Fructose, Galactose, Humans, Liver, Liver Glycogen, Male, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Physical Endurance, Exercise

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