Training & Nutrition - Effects of High Fructose Corn Syrup

Everyone knows that high fructose corn syrup isn't the greatest stuff in the world, my question is, is it doing anything for/to me while I consume gatorade or any sports drink while riding? And are there any alternative natural sports drinks on the market that are just as good?

Everyone knows that high fructose corn syrup isn't the greatest stuff in the world, my question is, is it doing anything for/to me while I consume gatorade or any sports drink while riding? And are there any alternative natural sports drinks on the market that are just as good?

It doesn't really matter when you're exercising. All that matters is to get the carbs into your system, so the more digestible the better. Fructose when combined with maltodextrin may actually increase carbohydrate uptake, at least one study has shown that.

If you've been scared away from fructose by the health food people, Hammer Nutrition makes HEED (http://www.e-caps.com/za/ECP?PAGE=PRODUCT&PROD.ID=4038&OMI=&AMI=), which contains all "complex carbohydrates". It tastes pretty awful to me, but it does the job of getting carbs into your body.

wow... this is an old thread... BUT:

I have made a point to remove HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup) from my diet and this is the reason; for many years I suffered from an irregular elimination cycle. I tried many remedies such as change of diet, switching foods, etc... for a while I thought it was lactose intolerance but it was not. After a bit of research about different food additives I read some research about HFCS and it said the an 'overdose' of it can cause digetive shock and/or stress... MOST people take in an 'overdose' of HFCS every day due to it being such a prolific sweetener. Well, after reading this I made a conscious effort to remove HFCS from my diet. Over the first few months I noticed a significant increase in regularity and nowadays, for the past 1 1/2 - 2 years, I am downright clockwork.

THAT is how HFCS affected me. Just thought I'd throw in my $.02

I make a point to avoid it when not exercising. But I do really like the Accelerade Gels, and they contain it. But when Im using them I need the really quick energy delivery HFCS gives. So it works well in that aspect.

I guess if you're burning up the calories already, you don't have to worry about the weight gain part of it. As to the other issues, I imagine as long as you're not already taking medication that can tax the liver or drinking any alcoholic beverages, and don't have already have triglyceride levels that you have to keep an eye on, it may not matter for you. Also, if you're taking extra supplements of copper, magnesium, and chromium, that should take care of the mineral depletion it will cause. Avoiding it altogether just seems less complicated to me.