The Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup

The Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup

Before we get to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), we will take
a brief look at two other frequently used sweeteners, dextrose
and maltodextrin.

Dextrose

Dextrose is more or less an industry term for glucose. Glucose isrnthe most prevalent sugar in the human and the only molecule that
the brain can metabolize. Dextrose is refined from corn starch.
It has a very high glycemic index (no surprise since it is
glucose) and while it contains no fructose, it is still a simple
sugar that is very readily absorbed. It is not as dangerous as
sucrose but it still is a highly processed product that should
be avoided.

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is also a refined product usually made from either
corn or potatoes. It is multiple glucose units somewhat loosely
hooked together (a polymer). Because the bonds between the
glucose units are very weak, it is also very readily absorbed and
has a very high glycemic index. Like dextrose it should be avoided
as much as possible. It has been called a "sugar substitute"
but that is based on a rather strict definition of sugar
as "sucrose." It is a very common additive and I have found it
in many packaged foods, including potato chips.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup is made by treating corn (which is
usually genetically modified corn) with a variety of enzymes, some
of which are also genetically modified, to first extract the
sugar glucose and then convert some of it into fructose, since
fructose tastes sweeter than glucose. The end result is a mixture
of 55% fructose and 45% glucose, that is called "high fructose
corn syrup." Improvements in production occurred in the 1980's
making it cheaper than most other sweeteners. I remember in the
1980's when the price of Pepsi dropped from about $3 for a sixpack
to about $1.50. In 1966 refined sugar such as sucrose was the
was the leading sweetener / additive. In 2001 corn sweeteners
accounted for 55% of the sweetener market. Consumption of high
fructose corn syrup went from zero in 1966 to 62.6 pounds
per person in 2001. A 12 ounce soda can contain as much as
13 teaspoons of sugar in the form of high fructose corn syrup.

Once again, the dangerous combination: fructose and glucose.

When high fructose corn syrup breaks down in the intestine, we once
again find near equal amounts of glucose and fructose entering
the bloodstream. As covered in recent newsletters, the fructose
short-circuits the glycolytic pathway for glucose. This leads tornall the problems associated with sucrose. In addition, HFCS seems
to be generating a few of its own problems, epidemic obesity
being one of them. Fructose does not stimulate insulin production
and also fails to increase "leptin" production, a hormone produced
by the body's fat cells. Both of these act to turn off the
appetite and control body weight. Also, fructose does not suppress
ghrelin, a hormone that works to increase hunger. This interesting
work is being done by Peter Havel at UC Davis.

Some of the problems associated with high fructose corn syrup:

Increased LDL's (the bad lipoprotein) leading to increased
risk of heart disease.

Altered Magnesium balance leading to increased osteoporosis.

Increased risk of Adult Onset Diabetes Mellitus

Fructose has no enzymes or vitamins thus robbing the body ofrnprecious micro-nutrients.

Fructose interacts with birth control pills and can elevate
insulin levels in women on the pill.

Accelerated aging.

Fructose inhibits copper metabolism leading to a deficiency
of copper, which can cause increased bone fragility, anemia,
ischemic heart disease and defective connective tissue
formation among others.

The list below is from The San Francisco Chronicle
February 18, 2004

"How much is too much?

The list below shows how much sugar, mostly in the form of
high fructose corn syrup, is in each of these single servings.

Sunkist soda: 10 1/2 teaspoons of sugar

Berkeley Farms low-fat yogurt with fruit: 10 teaspoons
of sugar

Mott's applesauce: 5 teaspoons of sugar

Slim-Fast chocolate cookie dough meal bar: 5 teaspoons
of sugar

1 tablespoon ketchup: 1 teaspoon of sugar

Hansen's Super Vita orange-carrot Smoothie: 10 teaspoons
of sugar"

Today's health tip:

Cut down or stop any food or drink with high fructose
corn syrup.

High fructose corn syrup is made from genetically modified
corn treated with genetically modified enzymes.

Stop or limit all foods with either dextrose or maltodextrin.

Once again, read all your food labels carefully.

Consumption of the limited amounts of fructose that
occur in fresh whole organic fruit is not a problem.

Reference:

Stryer Biochemistry Fourth Edition

"Sugar coated
We're drowning in high fructose corn syrup.
Do the risks go beyond our waistline?"
Kim Severson, San Francisco Chronicle Staff Writerr
Wednesday, February 18, 2004