If you pay any attention to health news or advice about nutrition, you know that high fructose corn syrup is on everybody’s “bad” list.
But do you know why? And why do some experts say that it is even worse than white sugar?
High fructose corn syrup is in much of what we eat. You can find it in sodas and sweet drinks. It is also in candy and sweetened yogurt, canned fruit, cereal and salad dressings. It is used a lot because it has a very low cost.
Some people say that high-fructose corn syrup is no different from white table sugar. Not everybody agrees. This is because there is some evidence that the body metabolizes the two differently.
Even if one is no worse than the other, it is important to remember that too much sugar – of any kind – is not good for us. It can make us gain weight. It can also contribute to several health issues, including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- High levels of triglycerides
- Heart disease
The reason why sugar and high fructose corn syrup are so bad for us is that they both contain high amounts of fructose.
Glucose is used by every cell in our bodies, but the body handles fructose in a different way. Fructose needs to be converted to fat or stored carbs before it can be used for energy. It's processed in the liver.
When there is more fructose than the body needs, the fat that builds up can lead to health problems.
One study showed that taking in too much fructose increased liver fat by 27% in just three weeks.
Top 4 Reasons to Eliminate High Fructose Corn Syrup
1. Calorie for calorie, fructose can make you build up fat more than other nutrients.
2. Studies have shown that the brain responds to fructose in a different way than it does to glucose.
You can drink a lot more calories of fructose without your brain registering a feeling of being full. This leads to a build-up of visceral fat, which accumulates around your organs and is the most dangerous type of body fat.
Fructose may also have a negative impact on your ability to remember and learn.
3. Fructose has been shown to make your body resistant to the effect of insulin. This means that you lose your ability to control your body’s level of blood sugar. This can lead to type 2 diabetes.
4. High fructose corn syrup has also been linked to a higher risk for cancer and worse symptoms of inflammation.
Tips to Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup
Avoiding high fructose corn syrup can seem hard because it's in so many processed foods. It just takes a bit of focus.
The best way to avoid high fructose corn syrup is to make better choices.
TweetMy top tips for this include:
- Eat foods that are natural, including fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins
- Avoid foods that are loaded with sugars and salts, including packaged foods and fast food
- Stay away from sugary drinks like soda and juice
- Take the time to read food labels
Yours in health and happiness,
Danette
P.S. Please share this important health information with your loved ones and I love hearing from you in the comments below. Do you avoid high fructose corn syrup?