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Corn Syrup and Insulin

Jul 3, 2011 | By Peter Mitchell
Corn Syrup and Insulin
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Corn syrup, particularly high-fructose corn syrup, features in many popular foods and drinks -- from soda to cereals. Like other sugars, corn syrup raises blood sugar. This, in turn, triggers a reaction in healthy people that releases the hormone insulin. Without insulin, your glucose can rise high enough to cause hyperglycemia. This can lead to serious health problems.

Corn Syrup

As much as half of all sugar in America comes from corn. Corn syrup comes from corn kernels. They are milled and steeped in water until the kernels swell and are then ground up to filter the starch. The starch goes through a process of hydrolyzation, creating a glucose syrup. While some products may use this syrup directly, much of it goes through an additional stage where enzymes convert glucose to the sweeter sugar known as fructose, making high-fructose corn syrup.

Insulin and GI

Glucose and fructose such as you find in corn syrup increase the blood-sugar levels in your body. Usually, this stimulates the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin then triggers body cells to use up the blood sugar for energy -- or in some cases store the glucose as glycogen. People with diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or no longer respond to the hormone. Corn syrup and other very sugary foods should be regulated in diabetics, as well as those looking to stay healthy.

Glycemic Index

The faster something raises your blood sugar, the higher its glycemic load, or GI. Corn syrup has the highest possible GI of 100, as it is basically pure glucose. If your blood sugar rises very quickly, sometimes known as a spike, the pancreas releases lots of insulin in a short time. This means that the sugar is used or stored as fast as possible, possibly leading to a blood sugar low, or hypoglycemia. So, consuming corn syrup may give you a quick burst of energy followed by a low feeling -- a common cycle in high-sugar diets.

Health Concerns

Regularly eating foods high in corn syrup can trigger a range of health problems, including diabetes, obesity and heart conditions. High-fructose corn syrup is a particularly risky substance, according to Dr. Robert Lustig of the University of California, San Francisco. Over time, fructose may cause insulin resistance. Excess sugar can be stored as fat, which is why a high-sugar diet can lead to obesity. Among other evidence, a 2004 study at the University of Cambridge suggests that high-blood sugar levels may lead to heart disease even in people who do not have diabetes.

References

Article reviewed by Amy Richards Last updated on: Jul 3, 2011

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