Metabolism

Does the body process high fructose corn syrup differently than other sugars?

No. High fructose corn syrup contains approximately equal ratios of fructose and glucose, as does table sugar, honey and many fruits.

Once the combination of glucose and fructose found in high fructose corn syrup and sugar are absorbed into the blood stream, the two sweeteners appear to be metabolized similarly in the body.3,4,5,6,7,8

Leptin and Ghrelin

Kathleen J. Melanson, et al., at the University of Rhode Island reviewed the effects of high fructose corn syrup and sugar on circulating levels of glucose, leptin, insulin and ghrelin in a study group of lean women. The study found “no differences in the metabolic effects” of high fructose corn syrup and sugar.5

Triglycerides

A study by Linda M. Zukley, et al., at the Rippe Lifestyle Institute reviewed the effects of high fructose corn syrup and sugar on triglycerides in a study group of lean women. This short-term study found “no differences in the metabolic effects in lean women [of high fructose corn syrup] compared to sucrose,” and called for additional studies of obese individuals or individuals at risk for the metabolic syndrome.6

The metabolic syndrome is a collection of metabolic risk factors including abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, raised blood pressure, insulin resistance, prothrombotic state and proinflammatory state, which increase the chance of developing vascular disease.23

Uric Acid

Joshua Lowndes, et al., at the Rippe Lifestyle Institute reviewed the effects of high fructose corn syrup and sugar on circulating levels of uric acid in a study group of lean women. Uric acid is believed to play a role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. This short-term study found “no differences in the metabolic effects in lean women [of high fructose corn syrup] compared to sucrose,” and called for additional studies of obese individuals and males.7