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For me, grapes are the equivalent of ex-lax, and that seems to be a permanent arrangement, at this point in the game (9 years in remission). But I've often wondered if I could handle grape juice. Juices such as V-8, and Cranberry juice don't seem to cause any problems. So last week, I noticed a display of Welch's 100 % Grape Juice and decided to give it a try.
Maybe it's a dosage issue, but a 16 oz "dose" went right through me. Before I give up, I think I'll try a smaller amount, to see if that might work. I had no other symptoms — just D (but that's the same way that grapes affect me).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Like you, I have to limit citrus juices, and back when I was still recovering, I couldn't handle them at all. But as you know, grapes are not a citrus fruit.
I have a hunch you've hit the nail right square on the head by bringing up the sugar issue. I hadn't considered that, but it's a fact that virtually all fruit juices contain as much sugar as a Coke (and even more calories than a Coke), and that's when they're in their natural state. Many fruit juices contain added sugar to boot, so that kicks the sugar content way up there. Welch's 100 % Grape Juice contains no added sugar of course, but unfortunately grape juice contains about 50 % more natural sugar than other juices (as can be seen in the comparison chart at the site located at the link below). Ever since my symptoms began, sugar has been a known issue for me, so I'm sure that explains why I can't handle grape juice worth a hoot.
So why have we been convinced (for most of our life, at least) that fruit juices are so healthy? And if fruit juices are not particularly healthy, what does that say about the fruit itself?
Tex I think like many things we are 'taught' that if it comes from nature it must be good for you and the more the merrier....now why doesn't that work for arsenic, it's natural or uranium also natural LOL
I think when it comes to juices they can be loaded with vitamins etc, but also are loaded with sugars. I tend to look at the juice issue and how many pieces of fruit would I eat and how often. When you think of it that way, you might have 10 or so grapes as a snack. Converting that to juice, that would be a mighty small glass of juice, my guess a more 'natural' quantity
For me when I do have fruit juice, I usually water down a couple ounces of juice with water and ice, tastes better that way, not as thick and more refreshing.
Tex what did your research show when it comes to fructose and MC, especially compared to other sugars?
To be honest, I don't recall ever seeing any official research that specifically addresses any relationship between fructose and MC. A few doctors advise patients to avoid fructose when treating MC, but they are probably basing that on patient experience rather than basing it on actual research data. Of course some doctors recommend avoiding all sugars, when treating MC.
I have seen research that demonstrates that compared with glucose, fructose reduces fat-burning, presumably by reducing metabolic rates (but that has nothing to do with MC).
The fact that fructose can alter metabolic rates suggests that it may possibly also have other unique properties, but I have no idea what they might be, or if they even actually exist. Perhaps back in paleo times humans only ate fruit when they couldn't find adequate amounts of meat. Over time, the body recognized fructose as part of a starvation diet, and so it evolved to automatically reduce metabolism whenever fructose was present in the diet. That's obviously just a wild guess that may or may not be entirely without merit.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Not to stray from the subject too much...but, I just read that onions are high in fructose! I have cut back on them and am feeling better, but didn't realize that they had become problematic,
:(
Linda :)
LC Oct. 2012
MTHFR gene mutation and many more....
Many of us have problems with onions, especially while we're still recovering. I'm not sure if fructose is the primary reason, but you've raised an interesting point, and it prompted me to do some thinking (which may or may not be a good thing), and more searching.
Maybe our body is trying to tell us something when it tells us that we can't handle fructose very well when our MC is active. Maybe there is more to it than just a simple digestive issue. Maybe we shouldn't be eating fructose for other reasons (in addition to the metabolism-altering issue). Apparently (when compared with glucose) fructose promotes an increase in advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are implicated in the development of various adverse events, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, chronic renal failure, and aging in general.
Of course, this doesn't necessarily have anything to do with MC itself, but if anyone is interested in reading more about it, and you need an additional reason to avoid fructose, you can find more information at these links:
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Before I give up, I think I'll try a smaller amount, to see if that might work. I had no other symptoms — just D (but that's the same way that grapes affect me). 
