HFCS and its Health Concerns
HFCS is a sugar sweetener that has been largely demonized by the health community for years. It has been associated with obesity, diabetes, and heart disease as well as other serious health issues.
Production Methods of HFCS
Historically, high fructose corn syrup was simply called corn sugar, but it is now more commonly known as HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup). It has many similarities to sucrose and is a crystalline product, but it contains no glucose and possesses very low moisture content.
There are a number of ways that HFCS is produced commercially. Common methods include the acid process, the acid-enzyme process, and a multiple enzyme process.
The acid process begins by converting a starch slurry to a liquid syrup. Then, it is treated with acid or a mixture of acids and enzymes to convert it to fructose or glucose. After conversion, the resulting liquid is either diluted or evaporated to a syrup density that meets specifications.
This process can be repeated a number of times. The resulting syrups are then treated with ion exchange resins to further refine them.
The Effects of HFCS on the Body
It is important to understand that HFCS is not a substitute for table sugar. Instead, it has a very different effect on the body.
A study published in 2017 found that HFCS increased the amount of fasting glucose and decreased the ability of mice to clear that glucose from their bodies. This is linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and other health problems.
The same study also found that HFCS impaired the activity of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that affects feelings of reward and motivation. Dopamine is important for regulating energy levels and other metabolic processes.
In addition, a study in animals found that HFCS increased fat storage and caused metabolic changes such as insulin resistance and weight gain. This is a concern in people who are overweight and struggling with weight loss.
Limiting HFCS Intake for Better Health
As a result, it is not recommended that you consume HFCS as a part of your daily diet. Rather, it is best to limit your intake of foods that contain HFCS, as well as other types of sugar.
Compared to sucrose, high fructose corn syrup is more quickly metabolized into fat in the body. As a result, it can increase triglyceride levels and lead to higher blood pressure. Moreover, it may promote non-alcoholic liver disease, increase blood uric acid levels, and lead to gout.
This means that it is particularly harmful for those with diabetes and other chronic diseases. Additionally, a growing body of research is showing that consuming too much HFCS can cause other serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease and liver damage.
The fact that HFCS has a very high concentration of fructose can also cause problems for people with certain medical conditions. For example, people who have a liver disorder like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease should not eat too much fructose as it can cause serious liver damage and scarring.
The same study also found that HFCS increases triglycerides and leads to other serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease and gout. In addition, it can promote non-alcoholic liver disease, increase blood glucose levels, and lead to high uric acid levels.
