High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an artificial sugar derived from corn. It acts as a cheaper alternative to table sugar and can be found in a number of foods and beverages. Because HFCS is not naturally derived, unlike its counterpart table sugar, there is a lot of conflicting information on how the body handles one sweetener in comparison to the other. Read below to learn more about high-fructose corn syrup and autism.
Quick Facts
As its name implies, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is made from corn.
HFCS made its way into the food industry in the late 1960s. Due to its sweeter, cheaper, and more functional characteristics, compared to sucrose (table sugar), HFCS was widely accepted by the food industry and saw much growth as an alternative to sucrose [1].
HFCS is made up of equal amounts of glucose and fructose. Although more research is needed to understand the metabolic impact of dietary fructose on the body, some studies have shown that overconsumption of fructose can promote inflammation, hypertension, and cognitive impairment [1].
To produce HFCS, corn is first harvested, crushed, and then milled to form cornstarch. Water, enzymes, and several chemicals are added to the cornstarch to make corn syrup, which is primarily made up of glucose. Additional enzymes are added to the corn syrup to convert some of the glucose to fructose, which produces HFCS [2, 3].
One study found that HFCS-fed adolescent rats displayed bipolar-like behaviors; spontaneous mania-like behaviors with susceptibility to behavioral despair [4].
Based on the negative implications that were found to arise from excessive fructose intake, the consumption of foods that contain HFCS should be limited.
Nutrient Breakdown
Similar to other added sugars, HFCS provides little to no nutritional value.
Foods containing High Fructose Corn Syrup
Sweetened beverages (soda, juice, iced tea)
Baked goods and sweets (cookies, candy, ice cream)
Sweetened packaged goods
Cereals and breakfast foods
Condiments (salad dressing, ketchup, sweet sauces)
High Fructose Corn Syrup alternatives
Dates (sugar or syrup)
reactions TO HFCS
The body can respond to foods and/or chemicals in many different ways including allergies and sensitivities. If you suspect a chemical reaction, you can either choose to avoid the chemical or additional testing. Click here more information on the difference in types of food reactions and testing options.
HFCS & Autism in the Research
Currently, there are only a few research studies looking at the relationship between HFCS and autism.
COGNITION & INFLAMMATION
One study found that excessive consumption of HFCS in adolescent rats negatively impacted cognition, metabolism, and brain inflammation [5].
Mercury contamination?
Two research studies found evidence that some HFCS may contain small amounts of mercury. If this is the case, overconsumption of HFCS, and therefore mercury, has the potential to cause health problems. While more research is needed to determine the impact that mercury-containing HFCS food products have on young children, it is recommended to limit intake of HFCS [6, 7].
References
[1] Salem HR. Negative impact of fructose overconsumption on health. World Nutrition. 2018;9(3):284-291.
[2] Joseph T, Kusumakumary P, Chacko P, Abraham A, Radhakrishna pillai M. Genetic polymorphism of CYP1A1, CYP2D6, GSTM1 and GSTT1 and susceptibility to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Indian children. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2004;43(5):560-7.
[3] Dufault R, Schnoll R, Lukiw WJ, et al. Mercury exposure, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disruptions may affect learning in children. Behav Brain Funct. 2009;5:44.
[4] Alten B, Yesiltepe M, Bayraktar E, et al. High-fructose corn syrup consumption in adolescent rats causes bipolar-like behavioural phenotype with hyperexcitability in hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses. Br J Pharmacol. 2018;175(24):4450-4463.
[5] Hsu TM, Konanur VR, Taing L, et al. Effects of sucrose and high fructose corn syrup consumption on spatial memory function and hippocampal neuroinflammation in adolescent rats. Hippocampus. 2015;25(2):227-39.
[6] Dufault R, Schnoll R, Lukiw WJ, et al. Mercury exposure, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disruptions may affect learning in children. Behav Brain Funct. 2009;5:44.
[7] Dufault R, Leblanc B, Schnoll R, et al. Mercury from chlor-alkali plants: measured concentrations in food product sugar. Environ Health. 2009;8:2.
Authors
Laura Flournoy, Dietetic Intern
