Non-Sweetness Diabetic News

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The Controversy HFCS has received the blame for the ever-exploding obesity epidemic in the United States. But Harvard’s most notable nutrition expert, Dr. Walter Willet, does not believe that HFCS alone can account for the whole problem. He asserts that HFCS simply provides extra calories and none of the necessary nutrients needed by the body. Although we can’t blame HFCS for the obesity epidemic, research does exist which suggests particular concerns about HFCS in people at risk for, or affected by diabetes. HFCS, like table sugar, contains a mixture of two kinds of sugars, glucose and fructose. The difference between the two is that HFCS is processed to artificially increase the fructose content. The health-related concerns involving HFCS has to do with the abnormally high concentration of fructose contained within it. Although fructose also occurs naturally in fruits and certain vegetables, these foods are known to decrease the risk for several diseases and are nutritious choices which are also loaded with protective antioxidants. Unwanted effects come from eating abnormally high levels of fructose by consuming super-concentrated HFCS, too much table sugar, or both. HFCS and Diabetes A study published in the March 2006 edition of the American Journal of Renal Physiology points out that fructose from table sugar and HFCS both can raise a compound often seen elevated in people with diabetes or insulin resistance called uric acid. High uric acid levels are a known trigger for a painful joint condition known as gout. High uric acid levels also appears to raise a heart-risky blood fat known as triglycerides, elevate blood pressure and increase insulin levels, at least in rats. All of these factors are commonly seen in individuals with pre-diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Another concern specific to people with or at risk for diabetes is the problem of fatty liver. Fatty liver occurs when fat streaks filter into the liver and create damage which can ultimately lead to scarring and liver damage. A study in the January 2005 edition of the journal Hormone and Metabolic Research found that high amounts of dietary fructose increased fat deposits in the liver of test animals. Perhaps because fructose must be broken down by the liver, high amounts of this sweetener may have particularly negative effects on this critical organ of the body. Finally, high intakes of fructose and other sugars appear to increase levels of a toxic agent in the body known as AGES (advanced glycation end-products). High levels of AGES have been shown to increase the risk for diabetes complications. The Bottom Line HFCS appears to benefit food manufacturers, not consumers. Check labels and minimize or avoid foods that contain HFCS or high amounts of added sugar. Instead, choose foods with natural sweetness, such as fruits. Moving the diet away from artificial foods and chemicals and toward natural, minimally processed foods can help you feel better and lower your risk for unwanted health problems.