The Problem with Fructose

High Fructose Corn Syrup

Research now indicates that high fructose, especially High Fructose Corn Syrup, is negatively impacting peoples’ health in an alarming way.

The problem is not necessarily with fructose itself, but rather the gargantuan amounts of fructose being consumed. Fructose is a huge factor in the growing rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other forms of chronic diseases. Below are more pertinent information about Fructose.

Why Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Bad

When it comes to fructose, one element to examine is the amount of glucose compared to fructose. Both are found in many foods in their natural state, such as in fruit. Glucose (“blood sugar”) is used for energy and is generally okay to consume in small amounts from whole foods for this reason. Fructose, on its own, is difficult for our bodies to metabolize. Fortunately, glucose assists in our ability to metabolize fructose. When whole foods contain roughly equal parts glucose and fructose, or even better, a low amount of fructose compared to glucose, the glucose helps us to metabolize the fructose–and, when consumed in small amounts, this is not particularly problematic.

When a food or sweetener contains significantly higher amounts of fructose versus glucose, the excess fructose can wreak havoc on the body causing spikes in blood sugar and inflammation throughout the body.  This is especially true for people with digestive issues. Excess fructose also causes us to feel hungrier and less satisfied, which in turn makes some people eat more than they need.

Thus, high fructose corn syrup is a problem!

High Fructose Corn Syrup Definition

High Fructose Corn Syrup is an man-made sweetener derived from corn, and is the single largest calorie source of Americans! High Fructose Corn Syrup is 20 times sweeter than table sugar and cheap to manufacture making it the sweetener of choice for almost all processed foods.

The average American now consumes approximately 35 pounds of High Fructose Corn Syrup every year.

High Fructose Corn Syrup is also responsible for the rise of obesity in the United States.

Informative video from Dr. Mark Hyman:

According to Dr. Mercola, high fructose is linked to the following problems with fructose corn syrup:

• Insulin resistance and obesity
• Elevated blood pressure
• Elevated triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol
• Depletion of vitamins and minerals
• Cardiovascular disease, liver disease, cancer, arthritis, and gout

Infographic about Fructose from Dr. Mercola: