Fructose is sometimes called fruit sugar because it is naturally found in fruits. Fructose alone is not absorbed well in the digestive system and does not trigger insulin release. So it has been considered for use as a sweetener in diabetic diets. However, when fructose is eaten in combination with another sugar called glucose, the absorption of fructose increases. Glucose is the form of sugar that your body prefers to use for energy. It is naturally found in all plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, sugar, and starchy foods like pasta and bread.

Although your body prefers glucose as its energy source, your liver is able to convert fructose to energy as well. Your body does not metabolize fructose exactly the same way as glucose, and your liver will convert extra fructose to fat more quickly than it will convert extra glucose to fat. Both white sugar and HFCS are both highly processed and very energy-dense. So it doesn’t take much extra sugar or HFCS to add a lot of fructose, and extra calories, to your diet.

So what is the difference between high fructose corn syrup and white sugar? HFCS is extracted from corn plants and contains 55% fructose. Sucrose is fructose and glucose linked together, so it has 50% fructose and 50% glucose. HFCS contains slightly more fructose than sucrose, but both are high in fructose. Excessive use of either HFCS or white sugar results in gaining extra fat quickly. In fact, research suggests fat storage begins within a few hours.

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is sweeter than regular white sugar so it is less expensive. Therefore it is commonly used as a sweetener in soft drinks and processed snack foods. Typically, these types of foods are high in calories, low in fiber and nutrients and should be avoided. If you have a sweet tooth, choose fruits that offer lots of nutrients and fiber along with their naturally occurring sugars, or consider occasional use of artificial sweeteners.

High fructose corn syrup is a lab-created derivative of corn found in many processed foods, including soda, salad dressings and juice drinks. Its prevalence in our diet causes concern for how exactly the body processes this sweetener and how elevated levels of fructose can affect the body.
.Comparison to Sugar
Regular table sugar is equal parts glucose and fructose, while high fructose corn syrup is anywhere from 55 to 80 percent fructose with the remainder in glucose. The modification has chemical and hormonal effects on the body.
Fructose and the liver
Fructose is only metabolized through the liver, while glucose breaks down in every cell in the body. A diet high in fructose can result in a fatty liver or even cirrhosis.
Fructose and appetite
Since fructose does not go the brain or the stomach, the hormones that make you feel full (leptin and ghrelin) are not stimulated. Without feeling full, it's easy to overeat.
Fructose and cholesterol
High fructose corn syrup can actually scar the internal walls of the arteries. The body produces cholesterol to heal the walls of the arteries, creating an ongoing cycle of damage to the arteries. This leads to heart damage.
Fructose and copper
Fructose interferes with copper metabolism, which helps collagen and elastin production, two components of healthy, youthful-looking skin. Poor copper metabolism can affect the physical appearance of skin.
Fructose and diabetes
Proven contributors to diabetes are overeating and a poor diet. Since