Have you heard of high fructose corn syrup? You've probably seen it in the ingredients list of a number of foods and drinks. It is a widely used sweetener in the food industry that is produced from corn starch.
High fructose corn syrup is a carbohydrate high in glucose and fructose. We think it is harmless, but in fact, its frequent consumption poses some he alth risks, such as:
The risk of fatty liver disease increases
High fructose intake leads to an increase in fat in the liver. High fructose corn syrup is metabolized differently than other types of carbohydrates. In the long term, this accumulation of fatty liver tissue can lead to serious he alth problems, such as fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
Increases the risk of weight gain and obesity
A number of studies have shown that excessive sugar intake, including high fructose corn syrup, increases the risk of unwanted weight gain.
Fructose is also one of the most common causes of visceral fat accumulation. You can read more about them here. Last but not least, high fructose corn syrup,increases the average calorie intake and we don't even think about it by consuming foods that contain it.
Risk of diabetes increases
Another reason not to consume high fructose corn syrup is that it can cause a condition called insulin resistance, a condition that can lead to type 2 diabetes.
When we consume food and especially carbohydrates, the amount of the synthesized hormone insulin increases. When we regularly consume excess fructose, it makes our body resistant to the effects of insulin. Its ability to control blood sugar levels decreases. This increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The risk of other serious diseases also increases
Frequent consumption of fructose can cause a number of inflammations in the body that are associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Also, some diseases such as gout, for example, can be aggravated.
