After World War 2 people began to acquire a taste for something sweet. Sugar was the first sweetener to become popular. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was added in the 1950s. When it made its arrival, it quickly became a go-to in all kinds of foods and beverages. 

HFCS is made from corn starch. The chain of glucose molecules is broken down into single ones. The result is HFCS. (Can you recall pecan pies made with dark Karo syrup?)

Doctor Don Colbert, MD was one of the first to sound an alarm. In 2014. His concern was based on research studies done at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in North Carolina. They found that some patients who had cirrhosis of the liver, especially non-drinkers with fatty liver disease were liberally consuming fructose in their foods.

This same study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Findings showed that “rapid liver damage can be triggered by fructose.” The researchers were shocked to see how quickly the liver was damaged and how rapidly test animals gained weight from eating or drinking HFCS beverages.

Fructose is a sugar. Remember ”ose” relates to sugar? It’s a type of fruit sugar. Even though it’s related to table sugar, the problem comes from the way the body processes it. It takes extra steps to break it down and for the body to.use it.

Many people go for diet drinks containing this sweetener hoping that by consuming them they will lose weight. I hate to disillusion them, but it has the opposite effect. In fact, according to healthline.com they say that sodas can be the cause of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, autoimmune conditions plus fatty liver disease that non-drinkers are more commonly experiencing.

The liver is not the only organ affected by HFCS. It damages the intestinal tract by opening the tiny pores called junctures that allow nutrients to pass out into the bloodstream. By enlarging them, bacteria and small food particles can leak out. This can cause immune system responses and food allergies.

The Journalist’s Resource from Harvard Kennedy School highlighted an article that stated that fructose elevates blood lipids (fats) which can trigger obesity, diabetes and damage the liver. (Geo. A Bray, “Advances in Nutrition, 2013. DOI:10.3945/an.112.002816.

They also featured an article by Shan Luo, et al. “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2015. It spoke of how fructose affected the brain causing a greater brain response to food cues in the visual areas of the brain. People got hungrier and had an increased desire for food. How’s that for losing weight?

Children are particularly vulnerable to the ads that coax them into wanting to eat, especially as it relates to eating sweets. So when adults give in to their pleas, they are unwittingly encouraging overweight in kids and even sugar or sweet addiction. Since it triggers the pleasure centers in the brain, it is indeed addictive.

At the National Library of Medicine, ncbi.nim.nih.gov, it features an article, “Effects of High-Fructose Diets on Central Appetite Signaling and Cognitive Function.”

They spoke of John Yudkin who wrote a book about sugar, “Pure, White, and Deadly.” His focus was on how sugar consumption negatively affected the heart. Recent research also indicates that it can trigger elevated blood pressure.

In describing how fructose affects the body, among the many complexities, it triggers elevated triglycerides. It also decreases serotonin which is one of our brain’s feel-good chemicals. Perhaps of even more concern was the fact that it impaired cognitive function. Anyone want a substance that increases forgetfulness and reduces memory?  How well is your memory doing?

How about children consuming a substance that increases appetite, and weight gain, may cause food allergies, while making them more prone to depression and, at the same time, decreases their learning ability?

Also in the big article was a comment about fructose inducing a reduction of neurogenesis. That means you will be making less brain cells and connecting nerves. By the way, it seems to be harder on males than females. That relates to the fact that females produce estrogen. What about post-menopause?

Healthline listed “12 Common Foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup”. Candy heads the list, and all kinds of sweets, cookies, pastries, desserts, cupcakes and the like come next. Sadly, many fruit juices that are in small boxes to appeal to children, also contain HFCS. Kids and teenagers are targeted by advertising. They look so appealing that this audience can easily become addicted.

When the weather is hot, many are tempted by ice cream or icy pops. Checking ingredients we find HFCS. The other kicker is that consuming even cold sweets on a hot day will increase your sensation of being overheated. That’s because, in the digestive process, the body is trying to burn sugar in your body cells. That makes heat.

Breakfast sandwiches can often contain HFCS. Do you ever read labels? Many tasty crackers and sweet breads, and especially pancake syrup, all may contain HFCS. Even applesauce may be targeted.

Learn to read labels. If you see the things I’m sharing with you, do yourself a favor. Retrain your brain to eat more natural foods.

Nancy L. Pidutti, PhD (NHH), RN, Author, Hospital Chaplain.