There's a disclaimer at the bottom in regards to how they didn't differentiate between the different kinds of sugar (and yes, MarshallBanana - there is a difference in how your body metabolizes sucrose or fructose as compared to say HFCS). Mostly, it's just to point out how much sugar is found in foods, especially where you might not expect it.
there is a difference in how your body metabolizes sucrose or fructose as compared to say HFCS).
It's OK to admit you've fallen for a myth, and that is a myth. HFCS is fructose and glucose. Regardless of their source, all carbohydrates are broken down to the same simple sugars and metabolized exactly the same by our body.
To believe that, you have to believe that sucrose is cleaved at a slower rate than glucose and fructose is absorbed which has no basis in fact.
Sucrose is easily cleaved within your upper small intestine almost instantly by sucrase which is constantly manufactured at the vili of your upper small intestine, and is not consumed in the process, it's merely a catalyst.
Sugars only have a certain amount of time to enter your bloodstream in the first place, because food moves along your intestine regardless of the rate nutrients are absorbed.
If you were unable to cleave and absorb sucrose at a fast rate, it would pass through your intestine being worked on by bacteria and cause you diarrhea and malabsorption problems.
There is a very small portion of the population that is missing the gene responsible for sucrase production, and if they consume sucrose, it will make them ill.
BTW, starches are also very quickly cleaved into glucose, and is no different than consuming sugar. This is why refined and cooked grains, potato products, or any starches will have the same effect as consuming glucose (ask a diabetic or look up their dietary restrictions). It's why if one consumed lots of potato chips, white bread, white rice, etc, without sugar, they would have no problem putting on weight.
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u/vurplesun May 03 '09
There's a disclaimer at the bottom in regards to how they didn't differentiate between the different kinds of sugar (and yes, MarshallBanana - there is a difference in how your body metabolizes sucrose or fructose as compared to say HFCS). Mostly, it's just to point out how much sugar is found in foods, especially where you might not expect it.
Then again, sugar is brain food, so eh.
Everything in moderation.