High Fuctose Corn Syrup Research Paper

High-fructose corn syrup is fructose produced from corn and concentrated for use as a sweetener for such commercially made food items as fruit-flavored drinks, carbonated beverages, baked goods and spaghetti sauce. High-fructose corn syrup is close to naturally occurring fructose found in fruits and vegetables, but this sweetener is slightly higher in fructose. In addition, the fructose is "free," meaning it is not bound to glucose the way it is found in nature. While HFCS serves as a cheap and readily available sweetener, it has also been linked to the epidemic of obesity that has plagued the world since shortly after HFCS was introduced to the market. Though there are likely many causes for the obesity crisis, this discussion will focus

Insulin helps your brain recognize your blood sugar level has increased, signaling to your brain to tell you to stop eating. The free fructose in high-fructose corn syrup goes straight to your liver for processing. Long-term consumption of fructose leads to hyperinsulinemia, or high insulin levels, and obesity, according to Case, “Elevated fructose levels decrease insulin receptor activity in muscles and the liver. This decrease may lead to your body using less glucose because it becomes overwhelmed when fed foods that raise glucose levels. Therefore, your body produces more insulin to lower glucose levels” (Case, 2015). High fructose syrup has been linked to obesity. As people search for a cause for the obesity epidemic, one place they look is changes in dietary habits. HFCS, as a relatively new ingredient in the American diet, and one that is found in many unhealthy foods and caloric drinks, has raised many eyebrows.” Research has also looked at the possible connection, resulting in mixed messages. If there is one connection that is obvious it is this, calorie consumption in the U.S. has climbed steadily for many decades. One major source of “new” calories in the U.S. diet is sweet beverages such as sodas” ("Obesity Action Coalition » A Not-So-Sweet Story – High Fructose Corn Syrup",