With many people looking at different ways to improve their health and overall diet, there is one additive in most processed food and drinks that is often overlooked due to its prevalence and universal use. High fructose corn syrup can be found just in just about every processed food you can imagine. Scientific studies have looked into the health impacts of this sweetener and show many reasons why you should avoid it.
What Is High Fructose Corn Syrup?
This name designates a large group of sweeteners derived from corn syrup. Corn refiners will use an enzymatic process to cause the corn syrup to change some of the glucose into fructose, increasing the sweetness.
This sugar substitute is found in a large amount of products, especially those sold within the United States and Canada. It is commonly found in soft drinks, breads, cereals, soups, condiments and other highly processed foods and drinks.
It is considerably cheaper to use instead of table or cane sugar, mainly because of tariffs imposed on sugars imported into the US.
Is High Fructose Corn Syrup A “Natural” Product?
The Corn Refiners Association has spent considerable energy trying to convince consumers that high fructose corn syrup is a natural product, since it is derived from corn. Critics argue however, that since the corn has been heavily processed to increase sweetness, it should not be considered an all-natural product.
As of September, 2010, the Corn Refiners Association has attempted to change the name to “corn sugar,” by arguing that it makes labeling clearer for consumers. Critics have shot back that such a change is only attempting to deceive the public into thinking that the product is a true sugar.
High Fructose Corn Syrup Linked To Obesity and Diabetes
Many studies have taken place to find any links between the growth of obesity and diabetes in the past 50 years to the rising usage of high fructose corn syrup during the same time period.
All but a few have shown striking links to obesity when high amounts of food and beverages containing high fructose corn syrup are consumed. Tests sponsored by the American Beverage Institute, the Corn Refiners Association and Tate & Lyle, a large corn refiner, found that the rate of obesity, diabetes and other diseases is no higher when consuming HFCS as it is with other sweeteners.
Studies have also shown that a diet rich in high fructose corn syrup will lead to a reduction in insulin sensitivity, a risk factor in type 2 diabetes.
Mercury Found In High Fructose Corn Syrup
Mercury is a toxic element to the human body; even minor amounts can cause many health issues.
Studies regarding high fructose corn syrup have revealed that trace amounts of mercury may be found in the sweetener. One study, done in 2005, showed that nine out of twenty samples of high fructose corn syrup contained mercury.
It appears that the mercury can be traced to certain chemicals being used to create the sugar substitute, including sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. Whether the mercury was derived from the chemicals used in the process or is a by-product of making HFCS is unknown at this time. More studies are underway to find this link.
Other Considerations
High Fructose Corn Syrup consumption has also been linked to cardiovascular disease, due to the buildup of uric acid it creates, and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, suffered by nearly 50 million Americans, is a high risk factor in the onset of diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
The rates of these diseases has increased at the same time that HFCS has increased, leading many scientists believe that the two are closely related. Ongoing studies are being conducted to investigate the links.
For those people trying to improve their health and control their weight, consumption of high fructose corn syrup should be avoided. Though studies are still underway to prove positively the links to obesity and other health related problems, the evidence is rapidly mounting.
Treat your body like a spiritual entity and food as a sacrifice to honor it. Careful consideration should be given before consuming any processed foods. Natural, whole foods, or foods that are organic in nature are easier for your body to process. Look for sodas that contains real sugar (such as Throwback Pepsi, which is made with the original recipe before they turned to HFCS to cut costs), and make an effort to drink water instead when possible. Small dietary changes add up throughout the course of a lifetime.
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