What Happens When You Eat Too Much High Fructose Corn Syrup?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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High fructose corn syrup has crept into more of our foods over the last few decades. Compared with regular sugar, it’s cheaper and sweeter, and is more quickly absorbed into your body. But eating too much high fructose corn syrup can lead to

insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure

.

How much high fructose corn syrup is too much?

A typical 20-ounce bottle of soda contains about 16 teaspoons of sugars from high-fructose corn syrup. That’s twice the daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association, which advises consuming no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugars per day for women and

no more than 9 teaspoons for men

.

What are the side effects of high fructose corn syrup?

HFCS and sugar have been shown to

drive inflammation

, which is associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. In addition to inflammation, excess fructose may increase harmful substances called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which may harm your cells ( 21 , 22 , 23 ).

What does high fructose corn syrup do to your brain?

Previous research led by Gomez-Pinilla found that fructose damages communication between brain cells and increases toxic molecules in the brain; and that a long-term high-fructose diet

diminishes the brain’s ability to learn and remember information

.

Does the body digest high fructose corn syrup?

However, high fructose corn syrup isn’t the same as eating a corn on the cob from your own backyard veggie patch. It is a controversial ingredient which is used as a liquid sugar substitute.

It is digested by the body the same way as sugar

.

Why is high fructose corn syrup banned in Europe?

In America, high-fructose corn syrup is widely used because it’s so much cheaper than pure sugar. In Europe, high-fructose corn syrup is

restricted to adhere to production quotas enacted in the name of economic fairness and competitiveness

, not as a way to save people’s lives.

Is high fructose corn syrup worse than sugar?

Studies show that high fructose corn syrup increases your appetite and

it promotes obesity more than regular sugar

. “High fructose corn syrup also contributes to diabetes, inflammation, high triglycerides, and something we call non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,” says Dr.

Is High Fructose Corn Syrup bad for your liver?

Studies have linked excessive consumption of HFCS and other added sugars to health problems like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Studies suggest that high fructose intake

may increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

(NAFLD), in which too much fat is stored in liver cells.

What happens if you eat too much syrup?

Consumed in excess, sugar may be a leading cause of some of the world’s biggest health problems, including

obesity

, type 2 diabetes and heart disease (3, 4 , 5 ). The fact that maple syrup contains some minerals is a very poor reason to eat it, given its high sugar content.

Is there a difference between high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup?

Corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup are

two different products

even though both products are made from corn starch. Regular corn syrup is 100% glucose yet high-fructose corn syrup has some of its glucose converted to fructose enzymatically.

Does high fructose corn syrup cause depression?

Previous research has connected high-fructose corn syrup to

depression

, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

How long does high fructose corn syrup stay in your system?

The metabolic effects of high-fructose corn syrup can be reversed in

as little as nine days

when sugar intake is limited. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, the metabolic effects of HFCS can be reversed in as little as nine days when sugar intake is limited.

Is corn syrup bad for your brain?

This is especially important now, as new research from UCLA shows that too much of the sugar known as high fructose corn syrup can impact your ability to think! The study shows that consuming high fructose corn syrup

affects memory

and actually slows down learning.

Why do they put high fructose corn syrup in everything?

High-fructose corn syrup is a common ingredient in packaged foods. Food manufacturers use it because

it makes food sweet like sugar, but is less expensive

.

What is high fructose corn syrup called now?

Manufacturers of high fructose corn syrup are doing just that. This week, they petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be allowed to use the alternative name “

corn sugar

.”

Is cane sugar better than high fructose corn syrup?

Few reports included details of the study – and evidence from other studies – which suggest that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)

is not worse, overall

, than cane sugar (sucrose). Don’t get us wrong.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.