The Hidden Sugar in Processed Foods — and Why High-Fructose Corn Syrup Raises Red Flags Sugar is everywhere in the modern diet—but not all sugars behave the same in the body. While table sugar (sucrose) is already problematic when consumed in excess, growing research suggests that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) may pose additional metabolic concerns, especially when it becomes a staple of highly processed foods. HFCS is now found in a large percentage of packaged and ultra-processed products, making overconsumption easy—and often unintentional. Why High-Fructose Corn Syrup Is Different HFCS is a refined sweetener made by converting corn starch into glucose and then into fructose. Unlike glucose, which can be used by nearly every cell in the body, fructose is primarily metabolized by the liver. When intake is high and continuous, this metabolic bottleneck can stress liver function and disrupt normal energy regulation. HFCS and Weight Gain: What Research Suggests Ani…