High fructose corn syrup, fructose, glucose, sucrose

Sweeteners - What to Use?

 There has been much debate on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Of course, the corn industry wants you to believe that HFCS is a good as mother's milk.  Is that right? The video below will explain the different types of sweeteners and what they do to our bodies.

So, what is the big deal about HFCS?

No one is saying eat sugar or use HFCS.  I am just trying to present facts for a topic about which I know nothing.

Science Says: 

In addition to causing significant weight gain in lab animals, long-term consumption of high-fructose corn syrup also led to abnormal increases in body fat, especially in the abdomen, and a rise in circulating blood fats called triglycerides (http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/91/22K07/). 

Other Articles of Interest

Maternal Fructose Intake during Pregnancy and Lactation Alters Placental Growth and Leads to Sex-Specific Changes in Fetal and Neonatal Endocrine Function Endocrinology 2011 Vol 152: 1378-1387

This study reports for the first time that maternal FR intake resulted in sex-specific changes in offspring development, whereby females appear more vulnerable to metabolic compromise during neonatal life.

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE 2010 Vol 4: 515-520

This review explores the metabolic and nutritional effects of high-fructose corn syrup with a particular emphasis on its relationship to sucrose, the sweetener it replaced in many food products.n>

The Type of Caloric Sweetener Added to Water Influences Weight Gain, Fat Mass, and Reproduction in Growing Sprague-Dawley Female Rats Exp Biol Med 2009 Vol 234: 651-661

. . . only rats drinking HFCS-55 had greater (P < 0.05) final body weights and fat mass compared to the rats drinking ddH₂O or glucose solution.

Endocrine and metabolic effects of consuming beverages sweetened with fructose, glucose, sucrose, or high-fructose corn syrup Am J Clin Nutr 2008 Vol 88: 17335-17375

In both short- and long-term studies, we showed that consumption of fructose-sweetened beverages substantially increases postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations compared with glucose-sweetened beverages. In the long-term studies, apolipoprotein B concentrations were also increased in subjects consuming fructose, but not in those consuming glucose

High-fructose corn syrup: everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask Am J Clin Nutr 2008 88: 1715S

HFCS does contribute to added sugars and calories, and those concerned with managing their weight should be concerned about calories fromv beverages and other foods, regardless of HFCS content.

So what is the answer?  

Do not buy any product where the first ingredient is a type of sweetener: sugar, honey, agave nectar, HFCS, etc. Teach your children to  make wise choices on drinks and food. Stay tuned.  I am still looking for the definitive answer. Please share what you know in the comments. Thank you!