Starch-Based Sugar Increases Risk of Metabolic Diseases
· Anadolu Ajansı
It has been reported that starch-based sugar, widely used in industrial foods, lays the groundwork for numerous chronic diseases, from fatty liver to diabetes.
Metabolic Effects of Starch-Based Sugar
It has been reported that starch-based sugar, obtained through the breakdown of corn starch via industrial methods, causes severe damage to metabolism. Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, stated that this sugar, composed of glucose and fructose, is rapidly absorbed in liquid form. While cells convert glucose into energy with insulin, fructose is processed only in the liver.
Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, made the following assessment on the subject:
"Excessive and prolonged consumption of starch-based sugar is part of many dietary patterns associated with negative health problems. Because this sugar is used only by the liver when consumed in excess, it leads to the liver being overloaded, fatty liver, insulin resistance, and fat accumulation in areas where it should not be in the body."
Risk of Fatty Liver and Obesity
When a high amount of starch-based sugar is ingested, the liver's capacity to metabolize it is exceeded, leading to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, explained this process as follows:
"When excessive amounts of starch-based sugar are consumed, your body does not recognize the fructose sufficiently, and it is directed to the liver. As the liver struggles to metabolize and break it down, this strain causes the sugar to be converted into fat and stored in the body instead of being used by the cells. Not only the liver itself, but also fat accumulation around the waist, an increase in the body's overall fat content due to excessive energy intake along with sugar, obesity, and other obesity-related metabolic problems emerge step by step."
Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, also issued the following warnings:
"Starch-based sugar can cause a chain reaction of health problems due to its liquid form, rapid absorption, inability to be broken down elsewhere besides the liver, triggering insulin resistance, and especially its failure to adequately induce satiety. Obesity is at the forefront of these issues."
Dental Health and Carbonated Drinks
It was stated that excessive sugar consumption is not limited to weight gain but also directly harms oral and dental health. According to the statements of Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız, starch-based sugar is among the most significant causes of tooth decay, and globally, 2.5 billion people struggle with tooth decay problems. Pointing to carbonated drinks as a primary source of liquid sugar, Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, shared the following information:
"When you consume one can of carbonated drink, you are consuming 35-40 grams of sugar. You have already fulfilled your daily allowance with this added free sugar."
World Health Organization Consumption Limits
According to World Health Organization data, free sugar consumption should be limited throughout the day and should not exceed 10% of the total daily calorie intake. Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız reported that this rate corresponds to 50 grams of free sugar per day and is considered a strict upper limit. Yıldız noted that consumers easily exceed this limit with both liquid and solid foods and emphasized the importance of staying away from processed foods to maintain daily energy balance.
Importance of Label Literacy in Packaged Foods
Reminding that starch-based sugar is frequently preferred as a taste enhancer in industrial foods, Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız called on consumers to read labels. Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, drew attention to the risks associated with packaged foods and said:
"Starch-based sugars are an easy and cheap method in industry to enhance the taste of a food, to sweeten it. Starch-based sugar can be found in all packaged, processed foods you consume, even if they are not sweet. Therefore, when buying packaged food from supermarket shelves, you need to look at the numbers on the back, not the advertisements on the front. One of the most important steps to reduce starch-based sugar consumption in society is label literacy. We need to read the label. The label doesn't just say 'sugar.' It can be sugar, fructose, glucose, glucose-fructose, corn syrup."
Prof. Dr. Yıldız noted that product values should be examined per 100 grams or 100 milliliters, rather than per serving.
Threat of Added Sugars During Pregnancy
It was announced that the consumption of free and added sugars in the diet of expectant mothers can leave permanent damage on the baby's health. Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız, a faculty member at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, made the following statements on this matter:
"Pregnancy is one of the most important physiological, natural stress periods in a woman's life. Everything a mother does can affect both the baby's health in the womb and the child's disease status in adulthood later on. Therefore, it is even more important for pregnant women not to consume free and added sugars. When starch-based sugar is consumed during pregnancy, it increases the mother's risk of obesity and metabolic diseases, and as the sugar passes to the baby, it can cause the baby's weight to be much higher than it should be, leading to problems and complications that can pose a life threat during birth. More importantly, there are studies showing that through genetic programming in the womb, which we call epigenetics, the burden of chronic diseases in adulthood increases, even if the child is born healthy."
Proper Nutrition Habits in Childhood
It was highlighted that accustoming children to sugar at an early age leads to lifelong metabolic risks. According to information provided by Prof. Dr. Okan Bülent Yıldız, the sense of taste in children completes its development by the age of 3. It was stated that offering sugary foods and chocolate by families as a reward or a sign of affection creates consumption habits similar to addiction. It was emphasized that instilling proper nutrition habits at an early age is the most critical step in preventing obesity and chronic diseases.