When you look at the labels of soft drinks, fruit juices and processed foods, you may notice high-fructose corn syrup listed as one of the ingredients. According to MayoClinic.com, the product is created by converting glucose into fructose. High-fructose corn syrup is less expensive than sugar and extends the life of processed foods. However, health risks have been associated with the consumption of high-fructose corn syrup.
Weight Gain
According to a February 2010 study published in the "Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior Journal," researchers at Princeton University found a link between weight gain and the consumption of high-fructose corn syrup. The study was launched based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that showed a rise in obesity since the inclusion of high-fructose corn syrup in processed foods. Rats during the Princeton study that had access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than rats who consumed table sugar. During the study, the caloric intake for both groups was the same.
According to the DiabetesHealth website, one possible reason for this is that high-fructose corn syrup does not cause leptin to be produced, and leptin is a chemical that usually signals to the brain that you are full after eating.
Unhealthy weight gain can lead to a host of other health problems, including type 2 diabetes. DiabetesHealth suggests reading food labels and avoiding items that list high-fructose corn syrup.
Cancer Links
Research from UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, published in the August 10, 2010, edition of the "San Francisco Chronicle" has indicated that high-fructose corn syrup may be linked to pancreatic cancer. The research showed that pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest cancers, uses fructose to fuel the growth of cancer cells. According to the research team, consumption of high-fructose corn syrup has increased 1000 percent between 1970 and 1990.
Rise in Abdominal Fat
The Princeton study found not only that weight gain was related to the ingestion of high-fructose corn syrup; the researchers also noted a rise in abdominal fat and triglycerides in the rats that were exposed to the high-fructose corn syrup. In humans, high amounts of abdominal fat are related to an increased risk of numerous health conditions, such as heart disease, metabolic disorders and gallbladder disease.
Member Comments