High Fructose Corn Syrup vs Sugar
Choosing high fructose corn syrup vs sugar
Is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) a good substitute for sugar? Are they really the same? The scientific answer is, possibly, but no-one is really sure. Here are four concerns Dr. Sears has about the safety of high fructose corn syrup vs sugar and why he recommends avoiding HFCS all together.
1. HFCS is a molecular misfit
Although the composition of high fructose corn syrup vs sugar appear to be very similar at first glance, HFCS has 5% more fructose and 8% less glucose in it’s molecular make-up. How the body handles the extra fructose in HFCS is yet to be fully understood. However, we do know that with HFCS, the glucose and fructose molecules are not bonded together like they are in sugar. Since they are not bound together, the body does not have to process them in the same way that they have to break down the sugar molecule. Research has yet to present solid evidence that this causes the body harm, but some research claims the extra fructose can cause molecular mischief in the liver, boosting blood levels of triglyceride fats and the bad LDL cholesterol, while decreasing the good HDL cholesterol.
2. HFCS does not occur in nature
A high amount of processing is required to produce high fructose corn syrup vs sugar. The more processing a food requires, the further it becomes from nature, which decreases the body’s ability to know how to metabolize it.
3. HFCS is easier to over consume
While studies are mixed, some obesity researchers believe that HFCS is a very low-satiety food which means that it doesn’t trigger hormones that naturally tell the body to stop eating or drinking. High amounts of HFCS is also found in many of the foods that people tend to eat daily and can therefore be over consumed very quickly.
4. HFCS is guilty by association
Researchers and professionals can argue as much as they want whether or not HFCS is harmful to our bodies, but the fact is that foods that contain HFCS tend to be the junkiest foods with the most artificial ingredients in them. Since HFCS is cheap to produce and makes foods taste good, it is found in many packaged foods like bread, salad dressings, beverages, frozen foods and more! By avoiding foods that contain HFCS, you are not only avoiding a number of other artificial ingredients, you are also teaching your children an easy way to recognize junk food.
If you want to learn more about the dangers of high fructose corn syrup vs sugar, Dr. Bill explains further.
