High-Fructose Corn Syrup Began Americans Health Downfall
Scientists, nutritionists, physicians have known High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) was bad for our health and the health of our children since 2010 or even earlier. HFCS was cheap replacement for real sugar. Corporate capture was able to make sure the federal health agencies: CDC, HHS, NIH and Public Health, did nothing HFCS. As a result, HFCS remained in many products as Americans health declined.
I remember attending many nutrition & health conferences, where lots of research suggested HFCS was causing Type 2 Diabetes and Liver Disease in children but nothing happened.
I am extremely disappointed in the American Dietetic Association now called the Academy of Foods and Nutrition did not do anything to push Food Companies to stop using HFCS.
In fact, food stamps pay for purchasing soda, increasing the health problems with that population of people. When the health issues surrounding soda was discussed, many politicians said it would be “racist” to take soda off food stamps purchasing lists. Really??
Fast forward to today and President Trump’s Make America Healthy Again under Secretary of Health & Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, one of his plans is to challenge Big Food to take HFCS out of all foods in the United States.
https://www.sdxtraining.com/articles/how-the-body-absorbs-sugar-high-fructose-corn-syrup
What is High Fructose Corn Syrup?
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is an artificial sugar made from corn syrup. Corn starch in broken down into individual molecules and then it becomes corn syrup. Corn syrup is 100% glucose, or simple sugar. Enzymes are then added to the glucose to convert some of the glucose to fructose. HFCS contains fructose and glucose. HFCS contains 55% fructose whereas plain table sugar contains 50% fructose. The fructose from HFCS or table sugar needs to be then converted into glucose, glycogen (stored carbohydrates) or fat by liver before it can be used as fuel.
HFCS is cheaper than sugar. HFCS has flavor and it also increase the food products longer shelf life. HFCS makes food products that are acidic and in drinks more stable with a consistent taste.
Foods Which Contained High-Fructose Corn Syrup
- Breakfast cereals
- Bread & baked goods
- Sweetened dairy products like yogurts
- Candies
- Soft drinks
- Canned foods like soups & fruits
Fructose used to come from natural sources like fruits and vegetables but now most of the fructose in today’s diet comes from HFCS and table sugar. Your body metabolizes fructose into glucose but too much fructose leads to many health problems.
Check out today’s Chef Boy-Ar-Dee Ravioli…
Health Issues Related to High-Fructose Corn Syrup Intake
It’s no secret now, HFCS is responsible for many health issues we are seeing in the US. Below is a list of health problems associated with high intakes of HFCS.
- Obesity
- Increases Your Risk of Fatty Liver Disease
- High Triglycerides
- More Uric Acid
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Drives up Inflammation which Increases Risk of Heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity, Gout, etc.
- Contains no Essential Nutrients, just “Empty Calories.”
FYI, the American Heart Association recommends women get no more than 100 calories or 6 teaspoons of “added sugar” per day or men get no more than 150 calories or 9 teaspoons of “added sugar” per day. Children and teens should consume less than 6 teaspoons of “added sugars” per day. A 12-ounce cola has 10 ½ teaspoons of sugar. An orange soda has 13 teaspoons of sugar.
The Bottom Line
It’s time for Americans to take control of their health and the health of their families. We need to take HFCS out of school lunches, off the Food Stamp Allowable Food List, and out of Big Food manufactured products in the US. Americans need to read the ingredient lists to ensure they are buying products that don’t contain additives that are harmful to their health & the health of their families!
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-high-fructose-corn-syrup-is-bad#The-bottom-line
https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-to-know-about-high-fructose-corn-syrup
is a registered dietitian with a Master’s Degree in clinical nutrition. She is the Chief Blog Organizer for www.DayByDayLiving.net
Barbara worked as a research nutritionist with the military’s tri-service medical school & worked as a performance nutrition consultant to Navy SEALS’ BUD/S Training Program and West Coast Navy SEAL Teams. Barbara is the former nutrition performance consultant to the University of Louisville Athletic Department. She is the author of Fast Facts on Fast Food For Fast People and High Energy Eating Sports Nutrition Workbook for Active People used by the University of Louisville, University of Tennessee Lady Vols and the Tennessee football program, the LSU basketball program, the Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns and by the United States Navy SEALs.
Barbara is the former publisher of Kentuckiana HealthFitness Magazine, Kentuckiana Healthy Woman magazine and radio show host of Health News You Can Use. Barbara has over 60 years of experience in promoting healthy lifestyles to consumers. Barbara is a former runner who walks, a spinner, hiker, a pickleball player, a mother and grandmother to 13 grandchildren.
Barbara also serves on the Leadership Team for Moms for America as the Grammy Grizzlies National Group Leader. (www.momsforamerica.us).
