Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism: Pathology review: Video, Causes, & Meaning | Osmosis

Fructose consumption, particularly in the absence of fiber, can have significant impacts on small intestine enterocytes and potentially contribute to the ‘leaky gut’ phenomenon. Here’s an analysis of how fructose affects gut health and intestinal permeability: Fructose Absorption and Metabolism Fructose is absorbed in the small intestine primarily through the GLUT5 transporter on the apical membrane of enterocytes. Once inside the cell, fructose is metabolized by fructokinase and other enzymes.