High fructose corn syrup study?

Andrew Huberman and his guest discussed the distinct health impacts of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) compared to other forms of sugar. While HFCS and sucrose (table sugar) are metabolically similar, as both essentially provide a combination of glucose and fructose, HFCS is particularly concerning due to its prevalence in ultra-processed foods and its accessibility in the United States compared to other regions.

In a conversation from the episode "Dr. Robert Lustig: How Sugar & Processed Foods Impact Your Health" from the Huberman Lab, this topic was explored. They highlighted that some countries do restrict HFCS more than others, mirroring differences in health outcomes related to sugar consumption, regardless of obesity rates. Despite HFCS and sucrose being equally harmful metabolically, regions like Pakistan, India, and China face high diabetes rates due to the consumption of similar ultra-processed sweeteners. The broad point made is that the metabolic effects of consuming high amounts of sugar, HFCS, or similar sweeteners are universally detrimental, significantly contributing to diseases like diabetes and obesity, regardless of the specific sugar used 1.

For broader context, they also discussed how dietary choices, including sugar consumption, significantly impact metabolic health and obesity. The dialogue also touched upon the socio-economic factors and marketing strategies that influence sugar consumption, pointing out the underlying issue of food environments that promote high sugar intake through processed foods 1.