May 27, 2007

Numbers Game: Answer

According to figures published by the United States Department of Agriculture, high fructose corn syrup consumption in the United States clocked in at 0 pounds per person per year in 1966, and climbed to 62 pounds per person per year by 2001.

Unlike sugar, high fructose corn syrup goes straight to the liver (rather than the pancreas). When HFCS gets to its destination, the liver (not used to such visitors) hits the panic button and releases its troops.

Unlike the pancreas – which is used to receiving sugar and thus has insulin ready to bring down blood glucose levels – the liver doesn’t know how to proceed, so it releases a series of enzymes that not only tell the body to start storing fat, but to also raise triglycerides levels.

Even worse, these enzymes aren’t efficient at letting our brains know we are full, so it is easier to overeat when consuming products that contain HFCS.

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