Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup

We all know that too much sugar is bad for us. Consuming high levels of sugar causes weight gain, potentially leading to obesity, and increases your risk for diabetes and heart disease.

Is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) worse? Both sides have presented arguments regarding the use of HFCS, which is often preferred over other types of sugar and holds dominance in our food supply due to its cost-effectiveness in North America.

So, what are the dangers of high fructose corn syrup?

What is High Fructose Corn Syrup?

Let’s start by identifying what high fructose corn syrup actually is. As the name suggests, manufacturers produce HFCS from corn, specifically from corn starch. To make corn syrup, which consists of 100% glucose, manufacturers break down corn starch. Additionally, they add enzymes to convert a portion of the glucose into fructose in the process of producing HFCS. It’s called “high” because corn syrup itself is pure glucose.

The amount of fructose varies but is similar to that found in table sugar, which is officially called sucrose. However, in sucrose, there are chemical bonds between glucose and fructose. These bonds do not exist in HFCS.

High Fructose Corn Syrup and Obesity

Both HFCS and table sugar can, if consumed in excess, lead to increased liver fat and lower insulin sensitivity. It is often believed that HFCS, due to its slightly different chemical constitution, is worse., but there is no solid evidence of this.

The real root of the problem is that HFCS is often hidden in processed foods. For example, HFCS may be found in white bread, which improves surface browning and texture. This means that you may not be able to keep good track of how much HFCS you are consuming, although one easy way to reduce it is to cut out soda and replace it with, for example, flavored water (diet soda does not always help with weight loss and some studies indicate that carbonated beverages make you hungry).

Avoiding processed foods in general also helps you lose weight and keep it off. A better source of sweetness when you crave it is fruits and berries, which contain only fructose and also have antioxidants and vitamins.

The Impact on Blood Sugar Levels

HFCS has a similar impact on blood sugar to sucrose. One study attempted to use very high fructose corn syrup (90%) as a substitute for fructose in diabetes management, as it might be cheaper. The study had a negative result, showing a high glycemic index (meaning a high impact on blood sugar).

In other words, HFCS increases your blood sugar levels, although whether it does so more than sucrose is unclear. This means it is best to limit the consumption of both.

Negative Effects on Heart Health

Fructose, especially when not consumed in natural fruit, is associated with fatty liver disease, which can impact weight and heart health. But a study shows that the consumption of HFCS-sweetened beverages increases heart disease risk factors in the blood, specifically levels of lipoproteins, triglycerides, and uric acid.

Earlier research shows in general that the risk of death from cardiovascular disease increases with sugar consumption. The risk factors increased quickly, more in men than women and independent of weight gain. Reducing sugar consumption reduces risk, and can do so even if you have had bad habits in the past.

Development of Type 2 Diabetes

Research directly links consuming large amounts of HFCS directly with type 2 diabetes. This research does support the idea that HFCS may be worse for you than regular sugar. It showed a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in countries, such as the U.S., with high use of HFCS, over countries, such as the U.K., with low use of HFCS (in the U.K. beet sugar is the most common natural sweetener). However, the percentage difference was not that great – 8 percent as opposed to 6.7 percent.

Still, this is an indicator that reducing HFCS consumption can reduce your risk of developing diabetes and help you stabilize your blood sugar. People with a family history of type 2 diabetes should be particularly careful.

Increased Risk of Cancer

While “everything” often seems to cause cancer, HFCS is associated with colorectal cancer in those already at risk. Animal studies have shown that high levels of HFCS consumption increase the size and aggressiveness of colorectal tumors.

While HFCS does not cause colon cancer, it adds to the risk of people with other risk factors, such as family history or inflammatory bowel disease. As HFCS consumption increases obesity it also indirectly increases risk. If somebody gets colorectal cancer, HFCS can make it harder to treat. People with a family history of colon cancer should attempt to avoid HFCS as much as possible.

Tips for Reducing High Fructose Corn Syrup Consumption

Reducing HFCS consumption is important for everyone, particularly for those with a family history of diabetes or colorectal cancer. HFCS is often a hidden ingredient in food that is not sweet, so it’s important to read labels. Here are some specific tips:

• Reduce or eliminate soft drinks from your diet. The best beverage to drink is plain water. Fruit water is also a good alternative – to make this, get a pitcher of water and add slices of citrus fruit, berries, or cucumber to the pitcher. Let it stand for several hours. If you drink fruit juice, choose brands that don’t add sugar.
• Don’t eat dessert every day. When you do, check the ingredients. It is slightly better to consume sucrose/sugar, so choose baked goods made with it. In-store baked items generally have a lower likelihood of containing HFCS compared to packaged foods.
• Switch to brown or rye bread. White bread typically contains HFCS. It might be worth considering getting a bread machine. Bread machine mixes also typically contain sugar instead of HFCS and often a lot less of it.
• Avoid packaged sauces and check the ingredients in sauces and ketchup.
• Read ingredients. When possible, always choose products with “no added sugar.” Choose pure maple syrup over “pancake syrup.” It’s more expensive, but you need less of it. HFCS is sometimes called corn sugar on labels.

The Importance of Limiting High Fructose Corn Syrup

HFCS is in everything, and avoiding it altogether may not be possible. However, you should limit your consumption of HFCS and added sugars in general. Eating more fresh, unprocessed foods is typically the easiest way to limit it, as is giving up or heavily reducing soda and other sweetened beverages.

Reducing HFCS reduces your risk of weight gain, fatty liver disease, diabetes, and heart disease. Eating less sugar also trains you to crave less sugar, making it a sustainable dietary choice to improve your health and quality of life.