I was on a call last week and someone asked the question on whether or not high fructose corn syrup is really bad for you. The party line answer was too much sugar in itself is harmful to the body and we should try to limit the amount of refined and processed sugars that we consume. While I absolutely agree with that statement, there is some additional information that is important for parents to know about the real dangers of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
First, it is important to understand a little bit about your digestive system. The process that food goes through is a multi-step complicated process. There are lots of chemical reactions going on inside our bodies that many of us do not fully understand. I won’t share all the intricate details, however there are a few key components to know about the Gastric Trigger System:
Cholecystokinin (CCK) – A hormone that releases Leptin
Leptin – A hormone that tells the brain to signal fullness
Ghrelin – A horman that tells the brain to send a signal of hunger
When our bodies eat high-fructose corn syrup it is recognized as a foreign synthetic substance. It is not the same as natural sugar. Studies have shown that HFCS actually has an adverse impact in our body and it impacts the release of the CCK hormone. So when we eat food, our body is naturally supposed to tell our brain when it is full. HFCS inhibits that natural process from functioning. Therefore when you eat foods containing HFCS, your body doesn’t know you are full and you keep eating. As a result, your child may end up over eating because the body doesn’t know that it doesn’t need anymore food.
Another impact is in how HFCS is broken down in the system. Most fats are formed in the liver and when sugar enters your liver it determines whether to store it, burn it or turn it into fat. Fructose, however bypasses this process and simply turns it into fat. “The obesity and diabetes epidemics are no surprise when you consider the fact that the number one source of calories in America is high fructose corn syrup in soda.” says Dr. Mercola.
According to Dr. Elizabeth Parks, associate professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center and lead author of a study on fructose, published in the Journal of Nutrition just last year:
“Our study shows for the first time the surprising speed with which humans make body fat from fructose. Once you start the process of fat synthesis from fructose, it’s hard to slow it down. The bottom line of this study is that fructose very quickly gets made into fat in your body.”
Sugar comes in a variety of different forms and the facts are astounding on the amount of sugar that is added to our everyday foods. Processed sugar in itself is something we need to pay more attention to. Next time you open up a box of cereal, yogurt, granola bar etc… see if it has HFCS in it and just how much! While suagr in itself is bad, HFCS, had added dangers in how this synthetically made ingredient inhibits the proper functioning of the digestive system.
There is so much to tell on sugar in general that I am working with Julie Wilkes (US/Canada Health and Wellness Director) to create another webinar specific to the dangers of sugar. This will be brought to you in the new year. If you have any other topics that you would like to hear about, please let me know. I would be more than happy to create a blog on the topic, or depending on the topic and actual webinar.