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First I will begin with what is Corn
Syrup and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). Corn Syrup is manipulated
from the starch of corn. High Fructose Corn Syrup under goes a
process that has to create a chemical reaction. The molecules have to
change and convert into different molecules. The enzymes also have
to change. With this many different reactions taking place before
someone consumes it, this makes you wonder what reactions are taking
place in your body after you digest it. This causes concern for what it
can do to your enzymes, hormonal balance and the health for your over
all cells. You can see how High Fructose Corn Syrup looks like a
science experiment when the guys from King Corn make Corn Syrup
themselves. (This weeks Pick of the Week)
In 1882 Corn Syrup was refined and the
production of dextrose (glucose) from corn starch was started. In
1967 High Fructose Corn Syrup was created. By the mid 1980's HFCS was
the sweetener used in many soft drinks. From 1977 to 2001 America's
consumption of sweetened drinks went up 135%. Corn Syrup now is being
re-branded as “Corn Sugar.”
High Fructose Corn Syrup is used in a
wide variety of foods, in place of sugar. It is estimated that 78
pounds of Corn Syrup is consumed a year per person. This number wows
me! It is said that Corn Syrup is being used in place of sugar for
economical reasons; but other countries are not using High Fructose
Corn Syrup. What is interesting is that most drinks made outside of
the USA don't have Corn Syrup as an ingredient. What else I find
confusing is that Coke makes a soda without corn syrup, that has a
yellow cap; but only around the time of Passover. Why not give
consumers the opportunity all year long?
Beverages that have High Fructose Corn
Syrup have high levels of carbonyl that has been linked to cell and
tissue damage that contributes to Diabetes. High Fructose Corn Syrup
is rapidly absorbed in the blood stream and there is not much of a
question of how it has been linked to obesity. It leaches micro
nutrients from the body and also increases your appetite. In other
studies there have been high levels of mercury found in Corn Syrup.
With high levels of Mercury, it can harm the: brain, heart, kidneys,
lungs and over all immune system.
With trying to stay away from Corn
Syrup, start by reading all labels because Corn Syrup will be where
you least expect it. This can be found in foods that are not sweet
like: any processed foods, snacks, breads and meats. Most of the
bottled and canned beverages contain Corn Syrup. These include: soft
drinks, sports drinks, lemonades and ice teas. You will find that a
lot of fast foods contain Corn Syrup. There are a lot of people out
there that are Diabetic. Big or small you don't have to join them.
When the body can no longer filter the 78 pounds of syrup, your blood
becomes syrup.
