Energy Expenditure and Hormone Responses in Humans After Overeating High-Fructose Corn Syrup versus Whole-Wheat Foods

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to understand how the dietary source of carbohydrates, either high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or complex carbohydrates, affects energy expenditure (EE) measures, appetitive sensations, and hormones during 24 hours of overfeeding. METHODS: Seventeen healthy participants with normal glucose regulation had 24-hour EE measures and fasting blood and 24-hour urine collection during four different 1-day diets, including an energy-balanced diet, fasting, and two 75% carbohydrate diets (5% fat) given at 200% of energy requirements with either HFCS or whole-wheat foods as the carbohydrate source. In eight volunteers, hunger was assessed with visual analog scales the morning after the diets. RESULTS: Compared with energy balance, 24-hour EE increased 12.8% +/- 6.9% with carbohydrate overfeeding (P < 0.0001). No differences in 24-hour EE or macronutrient utilization were observed between the two high-carbohydrate diets; however, sleeping metabolic rate was higher after the HFCS diet (Delta = 35 +/- 48 kcal [146 +/- 200 kJ]; P = 0.01). Insulin, ghrelin, and triglycerides increased the morning after both overfeeding diets. Urinary cortisol concentrations (82.8 +/- 35.9 vs. 107.6 +/- 46.9 nmol/24 h; P = 0.01) and morning-after hunger scores (Delta = 2.4 +/- 2.0 cm; P = 0.01) were higher with HFCS overfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The dietary carbohydrate source while overeating did not affect 24-hour EE, but HFCS overconsumption may predispose individuals to further overeating due to increased glucocorticoid release and increased hunger the following morning.