Energy expenditure and hormone responses in humans after overeating high-fructose corn syrup versus whole-wheat foods

OBJECTIVE: We 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 24h of overfeeding. METHODS: Seventeen healthy participants with normal glucose regulation had 24h-EE measures, fasting blood and 24h urine collection during four different one-day diets including an energy balanced diet, fasting, and two 75% carbohydrate diets (5% fat) given at 200% 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, 24h-EE increased 12.8±6.9% with carbohydrate overfeeding (p<0.0001). No differences in 24h-EE or macronutrient utilization were observed between the two high-carbohydrate diets; however, sleeping metabolic rate was higher after the HFCS diet (Δ=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 v 107.6±46.9 nmol/24h, p=0.01) and morning-after hunger scores (Δ=2.4±2.0 cm, p=0.01) were higher with HFCS overfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The dietary carbohydrate source while overeating did not affect 24h-EE, but HFCS overconsumption may predispose to further overeating due to increased glucocorticoid release and increased hunger the following morning.