High Fructose Corn Syrup
Researchers present different visions in relation to the dependence of the issue of obesity on the consumption of high fructose corn syrup. Stanhope discusses the relationship of the metabolic syndrome and consumption of fructose. It is found that increases in the consumption of high fructose corn syrup can provoke the dyslipidemia and decrease insulin sensitivity (Stanhope, 2012).
Moreover, high fructose corn syrup is absorbed by the organism differently in comparison with the other types of sugar. That is why, the function of the metabolic regulating hormones can be influenced significantly.
As a result, the appetite-control centers are affected, and the person’s appetite can increase, provoking the further consumption of calories and causing obesity with references to the body mass index and blood pressure (Lin et al., 2012).
However, there is the lack of research in the field to state this or that point of view clearly. The discussion of the most controversial points can be supported with references to the investigation conducted by Lowndes and the group of researchers.
Thus, according to the research findings, hypocaloric diets containing high fructose corn syrup can contribute to the decreases in weight of the obese individuals (Lowndes et al., 2012). From this point, high fructose corn syrup cannot be discussed as the direct cause for the epidemics of obesity in the United States as it is proclaimed by different scientists.
However, all the effects of high fructose corn syrup on the human body and the development of obesity are not studied completely, and it is important to pay attention to such products containing high fructose corn syrup as soda, juice drinks, candies, and yogurts.
Sorbitol
To avoid obesity and control the weight, sorbitol is used in sugar-free products. Thus, sorbitol is the component of such sugar-free products as syrups, cakes, pancakes, cookies, candies, and chocolate.
These sugar-free products can help people control their daily rates of calorie consumption because of the particular features of the sorbitol absorption by the human organism. Sorbitol is not absorbed properly, and it does not raise the blood pressure.
However, the problem is in the fact that while being used in the reduced-calorie diets, sorbitol can cause such gastroenterology problems as meteorism and diarrhea (Stavniichuk et al., 2012).
Nevertheless, the researchers are inclined to agree that the reduced-calorie diets based on the usage of sorbitol can be effective in overcoming the problems with obesity (Fernandez-Banares, Esteve, and Viver, 2009). Though, the problem is also in the associated gastrointestinal symptoms.
The connection of sorbitol malabsorption with gastrointestinal symptoms is obvious and the sorbitol-reduced diet can help in resolving the problem (Fernandez-Banares, Esteve, and Viver, 2009). Nevertheless, it is also important to explore the connection between the usage of sorbitol, calorie rates, gastrointestinal symptoms, and overweight in order to state clearly that sorbitol can be effective in diets to prevent obesity because of its malabsorption.
Causing gastrointestinal symptoms, sorbitol can also affect the development of the other problems associated with gastroenterology which can influence the process of the absorption of different products’ components (Ledochowski et al., 20000. Thus, the problem is in the lack of the research on causes of the obesity epidemics, and sorbitol cannot be discussed as the sweetener which helps overcome the problem of obesity without harming the human health.
References
Fernandez-Banares, F., Esteve, M., and Viver, J. (2009). Fructose-sorbitol malabsorption. Current Gastroenterology Reports, 11(5), 368-374.
Ledochowski, M., Widner, B., Bair, H., Probst, T., and Fuchs, D. (2000). Fructose- and sorbitol-reduced diet improves mood and gastrointestinal disturbances in fructose malabsorbers. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 35(10), 1048-1052.
Lin, W., Huang, M., Chan, T., Ciou, S., and Lee, C. (2012). Effects on uric acid, body mass index and blood pressure in adolescents of consuming beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup. International Journal of Obesity, 14(8), 19-28.
Lowndes, J., Kawiecki, D., Pardo, S., Nguyen, V., Melanson, K., and Rippe, J. (2012). The effects of four hypocaloric diets containing different levels of sucrose or high fructose corn syrup on weight loss and related parameters. Nutrition Journal, 11(55), 2-10.
Stanhope, K. (2012). Role of fructose-containing sugars in the epidemics of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Annual Review of Medicine, 63(8), 329-343.
Stavniichuk, R., Shevalve, H., Hirooka, H., Nadler, J., and Obrosova, I. (2012). Interplay of sorbitol pathway of glucose metabolism, 12/15-lipoxygenase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases in the pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Biochemical Pharmacology, 83(7), 932-940.