title: Sugar or high fructose corn syrup-what should nurses teach patients and families?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is lack of consensus in the lay literature to support consumption of table sugar as a preferred sweetener when compared to high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to search the literature for evidence to determine the health effects of consumption of table sugar (sucrose) and HFCS on blood glucose, lipid levels, obesity, and appetite as well as to make recommendations for patient and family teaching of those at risk for developing negative health outcomes, including coronary heart disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nursing and health-related databases, including CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, and Health and Wellness were searched for research articles, which were compared and evaluated for purpose, sample size, procedure, findings, and level of evidence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five studies that met inclusion criteria were evaluated. No difference was found in changes in blood glucose levels, lipid levels, or appetite between table sugar consumption and HFCS consumption. When only fructose was consumed, lipid levels were significantly increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evidence suggests that fructose, found in both table sugar and HFCS, has a negative effect on health outcomes. Clinicians should teach patients and families that all sugar consumption should be closely monitored and kept below the 40 g/day recommended by the World Health Organization.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Nursing, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Linda L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Sobel
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dalby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite; D001786:Blood Glucose; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D066248:High Fructose Corn Syrup / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D066248:High Fructose Corn Syrup; D008055:Lipids; D013549:Sweetening Agents
keywords: blood glucose levels; high fructose corn syrup; high sugar; lipids