Hi Mandy,

I am interested in the sugars in paleolithic diets. As far as I'm aware
there's almost nothing on the individual sugar ratios.  However, my guess
it that there would have been more fructose than glucose or sucrose. Honey
is a rich source of fructose and many fruits have higher amounts of
fructose than other sugars. Although domesticated fruit have higher sugars
content, I think the present individual sugar ratios would be a reasonable
estimation of paleolithic ratios.

Fructose is also the builing block of fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin
which are found in many vegetables. However, both of these are not digested
and absorbed in the small intestine.  The colder the climate, the more
likely a root or tuber will contain inulin rather than starch.  I can give
your references if need be.  Jennie




Jennie Brand Miller  PhD
Associate Professor in Human Nutrition
Department of Biochemistry  G08
University of Sydney
NSW 2006  Australia
Phone: (61 2) 9351 3759
Fax: (61 2) 9351 6022