Sugar is sugar is sugar, right? Well, not exactly. While all sources of sugar, such as white, brown, powdered, honey or maple syrup sweeten food, one type of sweetener - high fructose corn syrup - is thought to act differently within the body than other types of sugars. This difference may cause more weight gain than other sugars.

High fructose corn syrup is made from corn. It has slightly more fructose than sugar, and helps to keep foods from drying out, so it gives them a long shelf life. It also imparts a lovely golden color to baked goods. Best of all, from a manufacturer's perspective, is that high fructose corn syrup costs much less than sugar. So it's the ideal sweetener for everything from soft drinks and fruit drinks to boxed cookies and muffins, snack crackers, applesauce, energy bars, and condiments such as ketchup and barbeque sauce.

The problem with high fructose corn syrup is that the body metabolizes it more like fat than like sugar. While other sugars cause the release of insulin, which breaks down the sugar for energy and also decreases the appetite, high fructose corn syrup does not cause the release of insulin. Instead, it's metabolized by the liver, which in response, releases fat-storing enzymes. This decreases fat burning and contributes to weight gain.

So next time you're grocery shopping, look at the label. You'll be surprised how many foods contain high fructose corn syrup.