Here's why HFCS doesn’t belong in your diet if you want to protect your gut health:

1. Fructose overload: Fructose is a sugar that is commonly found in fruits and is generally considered to be a healthy source of sugar. But unlike other sugars, it’s metabolized primarily in the liver. Too much of it can overload your system and increase the risks for fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

2. Gut destabilizer: Studies have discovered that HFCS may alter the composition of the gut microbiome, which is the collection of microbes living in the digestive tract. Imbalances in the gut microbiome have been linked to several health issues, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and obesity.

3. General health hazard: High levels of HFCS can raise triglyceride levels in your blood, increasing your risk for heart disease. There is also some research suggesting that it could negatively impact your brain health, impairing memory and learning, and even contributing to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

While it is still a relatively new area of research, it is clear that consuming high amounts of HFCS is tough on the gut, heart, and brain. It’s a good idea to limit your intake of processed foods and beverages that contain HFCS. Instead, opt for healthier sources of sugar, such as whole fruits and natural sweeteners.