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Princeton researchers find that HFCS prompts considerably more weight gain

princeton.edu

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Re: Princeton researchers find that HFCS prompts considerably more weight gain

#4

One interesting part is that they used fewer calories of HFCS than sugar in the trial, yet it still prompted more weight gain.

This would make more sense if I had a better understanding of biochemistry. It's only a matter of time before an awesome explanation is posted. (Yes....!)

Re: Princeton researchers find that HFCS prompts considerably more weight gain

#5

One interesting part is that they used fewer calories of HFCS than sugar in the trial, yet it still prompted more weight gain.

This would make more sense if I had a better understanding of biochemistry. It's only a matter of time before an awesome explanation is posted. (Yes....!)

It may be as simple as corn syrup causing the body to think it needs to store more fat for some reason or another.

Re: Princeton researchers find that HFCS prompts considerably more weight gain

#6
post #3

Unfortunately, I don't see the amount of HFCS that's used in the American food system changing much; at least until the government can find a way to continue to prop up the corn farmers.

Maybe biofuel would be a good use of corn instead of HFCS. And the gov't could still subsidize that.

Edit: That probably should have included an irony tag...

Re: Princeton researchers find that HFCS prompts considerably more weight gain

#7
post #3

Unfortunately, I don't see the amount of HFCS that's used in the American food system changing much; at least until the government can find a way to continue to prop up the corn farmers.

What you should argue for is that the government stop subsidizing farmers (and everyone else) altogether. That way, you don't have to worry about unintended consequences inherent in any subsidy program. (Nothing bad happens when you don't rob Peter or Paul.)

The important thing is not the political reality of the moment, but the philosophy people go by in the future.

Re: Princeton researchers find that HFCS prompts considerably more weight gain

#8

One interesting part is that they used fewer calories of HFCS than sugar in the trial, yet it still prompted more weight gain.

This would make more sense if I had a better understanding of biochemistry. It's only a matter of time before an awesome explanation is posted. (Yes....!)

http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=16717

For what it's worth, I'm in my second semester of biochemistry, and we've studied almost every one of the pathways he talks about in our class, in detail. Dr. Lustig is dead on about the science behind obesity.

Re: Princeton researchers find that HFCS prompts considerably more weight gain

#9

One interesting part is that they used fewer calories of HFCS than sugar in the trial, yet it still prompted more weight gain.

This would make more sense if I had a better understanding of biochemistry. It's only a matter of time before an awesome explanation is posted. (Yes....!)

From the article:

"First, sucrose is composed of equal amounts of the two simple sugars -- it is 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose -- but the typical high-fructose corn syrup used in this study features a slightly imbalanced ratio, containing 55 percent fructose and 42 percent glucose. Larger sugar molecules called higher saccharides make up the remaining 3 percent of the sweetener. Second, as a result of the manufacturing process for high-fructose corn syrup, the fructose molecules in the sweetener are free and unbound, ready for absorption and utilization. In contrast, every fructose molecule in sucrose that comes from cane sugar or beet sugar is bound to a corresponding glucose molecule and must go through an extra metabolic step before it can be utilized."

I highly recommend watching "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" for information on the biochemistry of the metabolism of fructose and glucose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

Re: Princeton researchers find that HFCS prompts considerably more weight gain

#10
This is further confirmation of a well-known phenomenon.

If you want to watch a long presentation on what's going on, check this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

Short version: Fructose is metabolized by your liver, results in a lot of nasty byproducts, your liver stores the excess energy as fat, etc.

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