A LITTLE ON H.FRUCTOSE C.S. VS SUCROSE

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP = FRUCTOSE(55%) + glucose(45%)

SUCROSE = FRUCTOSE(50%) + GLUCOSE(50%)

The difference between high fructose corn syrup and sucrose lies in the relative amounts of fructose and glucose that they contain. In high fructose corn syrup there is a slightly higher amount of fructose compared to glucose (as is said in its name). So, how does that affect the body?

GLUCOSE

• It can be metabolised by every cell in our body

• In the presence of higher amounts of glucose in the blood, the pancreas releases insulin, which allows cells to take glucose molecules in.

• Insulin also promotes leptin production, a hormone responsible for the feeling of satiety, feeling full which then makes us stop eating.

FRUCTOSE

• Is metabolised primarily by cells in the liver.

• No insulin is needed to process or uptake it.

• It does not promote leptin production, so no feeling of satiety is caused by it.

• When there are too many unused energy molecules in the liver, they are converted into triglycerides, which in turn increase the chances for heart attack and stroke.

Foods containing high fructose corn syrup should therefore be avoided in our diets. However, although this may seem to be saying fructose from fruits is also bad for the body, this is not the case. Unlike fructose in high fructose corn syrup, when fructose is found naturally in plants, it is located in what is called a Food Matrix, which is a combination of fibre, polyphenols and fructose. Fibre allows the slower digestion and uptake of fructose in the body, and also promotes satiety, polyphenols are also healthy and so the fructose is not metabolised in the same way that it is in foods containing high fructose corn syrup, such as juices, breads and biscuits. Add to that the fact that fruits contain essential vitamins, they should not be cut out from the diet.