High Fructose Corn Syrup

High-fructose corn syrup (HCFS) is a processed simple sugar. It was from cornstarch that has been broken down by acids and enzymes. It was commonly used because it is easy to make, cook, and cheaper to produce. HCFS is short-term carbohydrate (sugar) energy. It does not stay in your body long compared to starch like potato. The carbohydrate from the potato stays longer in your body.

HCFS was being used since 1970’s. Today, more than half of our food products have HCFS. I look at a product’s ingredient list when I do grocery shopping. If the product has HCFS, I will not buy it. This is because I would want to have more stable energy.

I call HCFS a sugar bomb because your body breaks down HCFS at a high rate compared to a complex carbohydrate such as an apple. When I eat an apple, my body breaks down the glucose at a slower rate. In this way, it provides me more stable energy during my day.

In CM Brown et al. (2008) study, researchers has found HCFS poses higher risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Researchers also discussed that the sugary drinks such as soda provide less satiety (Brown, et al., 2008). In other words, a person could be hungry still.

Choose wisely!

Rebecca Funk, TAC Your Health Intern
BS in Community Health
Western Oregon University

Reference

Brown, C. M., Dulloo, A. G., & Montani, J. P. (2008). Sugary drinks in the pathogenesis of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. International Journal Of Obesity, 32S28-S34. doi:10.1038/ijo.2008.204