It can be all too easy to pick up packaged, processed foods instead of preparing home-cooked meals from fresh ingredients in today’s busy world. They are undeniably convenient and are often quite delicious! However, patients have increasingly begun to question the role of processed foods in their diet, particularly if they are experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is one of the most common ingredients found in packaged foods, which can lead patients to ask, “Is high fructose corn syrup bad for you? Does it cause GI diseases?” Dr. Alexander Shapsis, a gastroenterologist in Brooklyn, New York, weighs in.
High fructose corn syrup is a more economical and sweeter option than cane sugar that food companies use to sweeten foods and beverages. In 2019, the high fructose corn syrup market was an astounding $5.9 billion, and it is anticipated to grow over time. Foods that commonly contain high fructose corn syrup include:
Just as the foods we eat can affect our cardiovascular health, a person’s diet can play a role in developing gastrointestinal diseases. In particular, there is increasing evidence that highly processed foods can contribute to systemic inflammation and an overactive immune response. When it comes to GI health, what does this mean? There is emerging research that has linked HCFS to a variety of GI illnesses, including:
The health risks of high fructose corn syrup, unfortunately, don’t stop with the GI system. High fructose corn syrup also presents a danger to maintaining a healthy weight because fructose can induce lipogenesis, particularly when dietary intake of fructose exceeds the capacity of your intestines to clear it and the development of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Additionally, HCFS can stimulate oxidative stress, creating up to 100 times more DNA- or RNA-damaging free radicals than glucose.
If you have questions about how your diet may be affecting your GI health and overall well-being, Dr. Shapsis and the team at Atlantic Gastroenterology are here to help. To schedule an appointment, call us in Brooklyn, NY, at 718 521-2840.
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