[Olog-hai]

Hydrochloric acid tends to dehydrate simple sugars (with the formula C₆H₁₂O₆) into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), which has no real nutritional value and is a potential carcinogen. Most HFCS has a certain amount of 5-HMF in it.

[Lazamataz]

I believe HFCS is a possible cause of the increase in American Type II diabetes.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Hydrochloric acid tends to dehydrate simple sugars

Tends to? What does that mean? Most of the time?

Are you sure that happens with the dilute HCl in our stomach?

You never said how quickly our system breaks down the complex sugars.

[Mase]

Hydrochloric acid tends to dehydrate simple sugars (with the formula C6H12O6) into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), which has no real nutritional value and is a potential carcinogen.

Potential carcinogen? LOL.

Pure HCL will dehydrate six carbon sugars and create 5-HMF in a beaker, but I don't believe that this happens in the gut. Pure HCL is excreted from the cells, but it is immediately diluted. There are other solids/liquids that are normally consumed along with the simple sugars, in addition to there being water in your stomach. This dilution must happen quickly because the small intestine is alkaline, so by the time it gets there, it is no longer acid.

But even if hydroxymethylfurfural is formed in the gut, it is in amounts so minute that there is no way for it to be carcinogenic. Of course, if you're a researcher looking for funding, force feeding it to lab mice by the bucket load will certainly create all sorts of horrific results that will strike fear into those who don't know any better.

Glucose, fructose, mannose, and galactose are impossible to avoid in a normal diet. Worrying about the potential for 5-HMF forming as a result of eating a normal diet makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.