The Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup
High fructose corn syrupalso know as “HFCS“, has become a highly controversial topic within the health community. There are many researched and documented facts regarding the dangers of this product. In recent years, high fructose corn syrup has replaced sugar in many processed foods HFCS is made from corn, which is genetically modified, making it even less healthy It began to be used in the early 1970s as a sweetener There are several dangers that have been associated with corn syrup High fructose corn has been debated on both sides, many opponents believe it can cause harm to the human body, while supporters say these claims are not based on any factual fact.
What is it: High fructose corn syrup is derived from corn and is a combination of fructose and glucose. Because it is so inexpensive to produce, it is the sweetener of choice for most food product manufacturers. Glucose is what the body uses for energy. Fructose is considered a fruit sugar. What does fructose do once it’s in the body? It is known to stimulate weight gain. This is because, unlike other carbohydrates, it does not go through “glucose”. You should limit your fructose intake to that found in natural fruits. Avoid HFCS, especially if you are diabetic.
misleading labeling: Reading food labels is very important for your health. Food labels tell you the nutritional profile of the product. You can see things like the number of calories, the percentage of vitamins and minerals, and all the ingredients that the product contains. This is especially helpful if you have health problems such as diabetes and cannot consume certain ingredients, such as sugar. Unfortunately, high fructose corn syrup is a form of sugar and many people don’t recognize it because it’s not called sugar. More than 40% of all food and drink products now use HFCS instead of sugar.
Weight gain: HFCS has been linked to weight gain in some people. Studies have compared the consumption of HFCS versus other sugars. Results from animal studies indicate that weight gain is much more significant in those who consumed high fructose corn syrup compared to regular sugar.
Diabetics and weight gain: If you are diabetic you should avoid sugar consumption. Many of the popular energy drinks, soft drinks, and processed foods contain high fructose corn syrup. This is about as unhealthy as sugar for a diabetic. Diabetes is a disease that can usually be controlled with a healthy diet. Diabetics must carefully control and monitor their blood glucose and insulin levels. Because fructose does not stimulate leptin in the body, you do not experience the feeling of fullness. Since you don’t get the full signal, this can be dangerous and cause you to overeat and gain weight. Since many foods now contain fructose in the form of HFCS, one can see why the general population is more overweight than it was several decades ago.
High cholesterol: Excess consumption of HFCS has also been linked to elevated cholesterol levels. High cholesterol over time can be dangerous and harmful to the heart. High cholesterol can lead to heart disease and plaque buildup.
Hepatic injury: When you consume high fructose corn syrup, it can have harmful effects on your liver. There has been research indicating that HFCS can cause liver scarring. If you suffer from liver damage, it can create more health problems down the road because this is the organ that processes toxins out of the body. If it’s malfunctioning in some way, your body may not be optimally healthy.
Sensible alternatives: There are several choices you can make instead of eating products that contain HFCS. Natural alternatives include stevia and agave syrup.
Healthy Tips: Always look and see if HFCS is listed on the label. Be more selective with the foods you eat. Your best options are whole foods; fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Try to limit or better yet completely avoid the consumption of processed foods. Remember that many fast food products also contain HFCS. Some of the worst culprits include condiments like tomato sauce, canned soups and pasta, soft drinks, and breakfast cereals. Always remember when beginning any dietary or lifestyle change, always consult with a medical professional, especially if you are taking prescription drugs or suffering from any disease or illness.