corn-syrupSo what’s the difference between cane sugar and high fructose and why should you be aware of what you’re eating.

Real sugar is a product of either sugar cane (80%) or sugar beets (20%) while high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a product of milling corn stalks. The main difference between the two is that cane sugar is bound sucrose and HFCS is an unbound glucose/fructose combination.

What does that mean?

The body processes the two products in two different ways. First of all the body breaks the sucrose from cane sugar faster, more efficiently and using less energy. The unbound form found in HFCS requires more energy and causes large spikes in insulin, which frequently result in a sleepiness after ingesting HFCS as well as obesity. The main difference is that when you eat or drink a product with HFCS the body sends the fructose straight to the liver where it starts lipogenesis (fat production) and the rest is sent directly into the blood stream.

Why is HFCS in all products today?

Simply put, PRICE! HFCS is cheaper than sugar because of the government farm bill corn subsidies. Products with HFCS are sweeter and cheaper than products made with cane sugar. This allowed for the average soda size to balloon from 8 ounces to 20 ounces with little financial costs to manufacturers but human costs of increased obesity, diabetes, and chronic disease.

With all that in mind studies show that drinking HFCS on a daily basis are a major cause of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver, as well as many other things.

If you do anything when purchasing food at the grocery store or gas station, PLEASE LOOK at the ingredients!! Be aware of what you’re putting into your body!