picture courtesy of Uwe Hermann

For those of you living in the US, have you noticed the television ads for high-fructose corn syrup? These are ads produced by corn growers and processors and they are stating that high-fructose corn syrup has the same nutritional value as other sugars.

How interesting then that this latest study was recently published in the Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications noting that the body does react differently to fructose. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19265677

Here is what RealAge has recently said on the subject:

The sugars may affect your appetite differently because of the unique ways in which they affect malonyl-CoA, an important appetite-suppressing molecule in the brain. Glucose causes malonyl-CoA to rise, resulting in less food intake. Fructose, on the other hand, lowers malonyl-CoA, resulting in more food intake.

http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/8618

Recommendation…if you are struggling with your weight or can’t shake your cravings, try avoiding foods with high fructose corn syrup and see if you notice the difference. The lesson here is to read the packaging of any food and know what you are consuming. High fructose corn syrup comes in a wide variety of foods, and some you may not think of as being sweet. Besides high fructose corn syrup, look for other ways sugar is hidden in the ingredients. If you see the word “dextrose”, it’s a sign of additional hidden sugars.