How is high-fructose corn syrup metabolized?

Abstract. Both controversy and confusion exist concerning fructose, sucrose, and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) with respect to their metabolism and health effects. These concerns have often been fueled by speculation based on limited data or animal studies. read more

Fructose differs in several ways from glucose, the other half of the sucrose (sugar) molecule . Fructose is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract by a different mechanism than that for glucose. Glucose stimulates insulin release from the isolated pancreas, but fructose does not. read more

Both table sugar and high-fructose sweetener contain four calories per gram, so calories alone are not the key problem with high-fructose corn syrup. Rather, metabolism of excess amounts of fructose is the major concern. read more

High-fructose corn syrup is a solution of two simple sugars, fructose and glucose. It comes in a number of formulations, but in general it has roughly the same mix of simple sugars as invert sugar (which is a 50-50 mix of fructose and glucose caused by the controlled decomposition of table sugar) and honey (which is a 55-45 mix of fructose and glucose). read more