Is Corn Syrup Worse Than Corn For Allergies?

People can develop an allergy to any type of food, and food allergies can range in severity from a minor nuisance to a life-threatening condition. Some common food allergies include peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish. Some people develop an allergy to corn and become fatigued or ill when they consume any type of corn product. This can be a problem since corn is difficult to avoid; in addition to corn itself, corn syrup is an ingredient in a surprising number of foods and other products. Although it is more difficult to avoid than whole corn, corn syrup is no worse than corn for allergies.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup, or HFCS was first developed in 1957 and became popular in the United States in the 1970s. Manufacturers use a chemical process called "isomerization" to transform the glucose that naturally occurs in corn to fructose. The end result is called "high fructose" because the percentage of fructose in HFCS is higher than in corn syrup that has not undergone isomerization. HFCS is cheaper to produce than cane or beet sugar, so it saves food manufacturers money and has therefore replaced cane sugar in many food products.

Corn Allergy

Allergies are your immune system's abnormal response to a harmless substance. If you are allergic to a substance, such as pollen, your immune system sees pollen as an "enemy" and starts an inflammatory reaction that causes symptoms such as swelling, runny nose and itchy eyes. Your body also can develop an allergy to any food, including corn. If you are allergic to corn, consuming any corn product can cause you to develop symptoms within minutes to two hours, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Common food allergy symptoms of the digestive tract include swollen or itchy lips, tightness of the throat, nausea or vomiting. Common nondigestive symptoms include swollen skin or hives. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes flushing, low blood pressure, swelling and fainting.

Corn Syrup Risks

If you are allergic to corn, corn syrup causes you to have the same symptoms as the corn allergy. The type and severity of allergy symptoms vary from person to person. If you are allergic to corn, you should take great care to avoid corn syrup altogether. If you are not allergic to corn, you should limit your intake of corn syrup because of its other health risks. According to researchers at the Louisiana State University, your body may process corn syrup differently than other sugars, turning it into fat more quickly. According to a 2010 study in the journal "Current Hypertension Reports," excessive consumption of corn syrup contributes to the obesity epidemic and metabolic syndrome. A 2003 study in the journal "Pediatrics" cites increased consumption of sweetened beverages as a cause of increased dental cavities in children.

Unexpected Sources of Corn Syrup

You probably already know that most sodas contain HFCS. However, many foods that you might not expect also contain HFCS. Some examples are sauces such as ketchup, barbecue sauce and Worcestershire sauce, some spaghetti sauces and pizza sauces, fruit juices and even apple sauce. If you are allergic to corn, you also should watch out for corn derivatives such as maltodextrin, sorbitol, mannitol and caramel color. Corn derivatives can even turn up in adhesives on envelopes and in medicines and ointments. Read the ingredients of any product before you ingest it, and call the manufacturer if you aren't sure if the product contains corn. Talk to your doctor about avoiding corn to prevent allergic reactions.