I suspect that there is an evolutionary factor that is involved. Raw sugar is rare in nature, mostly in honey and few other places. Fructose, fruit sugar, is more common. I think that when a person or animal consumes fruit, and therefore fructose, the body senses the difference between that and pure sugar.
The season that fruit is in abundance, summer, is when animals have to store up fat for the long winter months in order to survive.
When we eat fructose enhanced foods, the body says, “Hey! FRUCTOSE! It must be Summer! I must store this away for later!”
But, when we consume sugar, it says, “Hey! SUGAR! I’ll use this for energy immediately! I’ll store some leftovers for later!”
As for metabolization, The process is essentially the same. They may be similar molecules, but the body knows the difference........
There are all sorts of sugars. I don't know what you mean by "raw" sugar. The chemical composition of honey is almost identical to that of HFCS. Anyone who fears HFCS should also be fearful of honey. Doesn't make much sense now, does it?
I think that when a person or animal consumes fruit, and therefore fructose, the body senses the difference between that and pure sugar.
Again, what do you mean by "pure" sugar. Fructose is a sugar (monosaccharide) just like galactose and glucose. Fructose may be metabolized through a different pathway in the body, but that's no reason to fear it.
When we eat fructose enhanced foods, the body says, “Hey! FRUCTOSE! It must be Summer! I must store this away for later!”
No, your body doesn't metabolize sugars based on a particular season. Your body absorbs sugar independent of the dietary source. It is regulated by active transport on the surface of the small intestines. Your body doesn't know the source of the fructose or glucose, nor does it care.
Hydrolyzed sucrose (regular old table sugar) and HFCS are metabolized in the same manner. There is no difference between them when it comes to how they are absorbed by the body. Fructose is fructose and glucose is glucose. All this fear is based on a misunderstanding of basic nutrition.