High Fructose Corn Syrup Effects

High-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, has become increasingly prevalent in beverages and processed foods since the 1970s. Often incorrectly believed to be pure fructose, the sweetener and preservative actually contains fructose and glucose, with fructose usually 42 percent or 55 percent of the mixture. In comparison, table sugar is half fructose and half glucose. Despite those facts and fructose's natural occurrence in such foods as fruit and honey, continuing research indicates HFCS may be unhealthy.

Obesity, Consumption Correlations

Research suggests HFCS' effect on weight may be due to the different absorption, digestion and metabolism properties of the fructose in HFCS, which may promote overeating and then weight gain. Obesity has become a major health issue in many countries around the world, and numerous health professionals and scientists have long suspected that HFCS consumption plays a big role in the problem. A 2004 study of food intake patterns from 1967 to 2000 presented in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" suggested the suspicion may be warranted. Researchers analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and noted that HFCS consumption increased 1,000 percent in the United States between 1970 and 1990, a steep incline that reflected the rapid rise of obesity during that period.

Other Risks, Metabolic Syndrome

Although obesity is the primary risk associated with consuming large amounts of HFCS, according to the Mayo Clinic, potential secondary effects include coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Researchers presented a study in 2009 that investigated the outcome of a diet high in fructose. The results indicated that men who maintain a diet with excessive fructose may develop elevated blood pressure and metabolic syndrome, a condition that involves low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol, a larger waistline and high blood pressure, fasting blood sugar and triglycerides. Metabolic syndrome increases the likelihood of an individual developing coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other conditions involving accumulated plaque in arteries, such as peripheral vascular disease and stroke.

Diabetes Connection

A study presented during a 2007 American Chemical Society symposium provided further evidence of a possible link between HFCS and diabetes. After performing chemical tests on soda containing HFCS, researchers from Rutgers University discovered extremely large amounts of compounds called reactive carbonyls. Such compounds are suspected of triggering tissue and cell damage that can cause diabetes, and high levels of the compound also appear in the blood of diabetics. The researchers concluded that carbonated beverages sweetened with HFCS may increase the risk of developing diabetes, especially in children who drink a lot of soda pop. Non-carbonated beverages containing HFCS, such as fruit juice and tea, have considerably lower levels of reactive carbonyls. Nonetheless, the researchers recommend reducing or discontinuing HFCS consumption to avoid associated health problems.