The food industry LOVES High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and for a good reason. It’s a very cheap sweetener that prolongs shelf life, prevents sugar from crystallizing in drinks, makes bakery goods look golden and delicious and has several great effects on frozen food.
There is only one small catch. According to many researchers, HFCS may be the main factor behind several deadly diseases and deaths. This includes, among others, type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis and so much more.
So in today’s feature article, I’m going to discuss exactly how HFCS differs from regular sugar, if the claims against HFCS are true and if so, why HFCS is so dangerous.
If you’re at least concerned about your health, please read on and make your comments at the end.
You may have been aware of the two main arguments between the sugar industry and the HFCS industry. One is if HFCS may actually change its name to “corn sugar” (ie, if it’s the same as sugar), and the other if HFCS may be labeled as “natural.”
The sugar industry doesn’t want to give up the “sugar” name because they rightfully point out that there are clear molecular differences between sugar and HFCS and that the body processes them in a different way.
You see, as sugar contains a natural 50/50 balance of glucose and fructose, HFCS in its first stages only contains glucose, and needs to be altered using enzymes to change some of the glucose into fructose. The end result is about 55% fructose and 42% glucose. This is actually closer to the build up of honey and one of the reasons much of the commercially processed honey sold in supermarkets is actually mostly HFCS…. without any of the health benefits of organic honey.
There have also been several studies supporting the claim that HFCS is processed differently by the body than sugar. The most famous one made by Princeton University that found that in groups of lab rats raised on either sugar or HFCS, the ones eating HFCS gained significantly more weight. Researchers speculated that HFCS may interfere with metabolism.
Several companies have faced law suit threats when using the wording “all natural” for food products including HFCS. Most of those companies, like 7-Up and Capri Sun, have removed the all natural labels instead of facing court. I’m sure it takes more than a smile to get companies like that to change their label. More like a firm warning from a convincing legal department. Many soda companies are now turning the tables and going back to “natural soda” brands that contain original cane or beet sugar instead of HFCS.
In a court case that did go through against Snapple, Inc., the judge rejected the case. Not because he said HFCS was “all natural” but because it is the FDA’s role to define “all natural,” not the court.
But the FDA has fluctuated greatly in its view regarding HFCS and its status as natural. First, giving a statement they would object against using the term “natural” for products including HFCS. Then, later on stating they again would only object to using the term “natural” if HFCS is processed using synthetic substances such as synthetic fixing agents.
So what are these “synthetic fixing agents” FDA is talking about? Doesn’t sound too bad does it?
It’s not that simple and here’s why you’d want to re-think that.
Have you ever heard of a chemical called “glutaraldehyde?” Don’t worry if you don’t, it’s not a usual product you’d buy in nearby supermarket. You could, however, buy a 10% solution of glutaraldehyde for wart removal (due to extreme burning effects on human flesh).
The main use for glutaraldehyde is to disinfect tools in the health care system. In fact, despite it’s toxic effects, it’s so much used that glutaraldehyde is listed as one of two main causes of asthma among health care providers. It can also cause severe eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation, along with headaches, drowsiness and dizziness.
Now this deadly chemical is often used to transfer corn into HFCS and this is one of the chemicals FDA was talking about when they say if it’s used, HFCS could not be considered natural.
On the other hand, mercury and the serious health risk of mercury built up in the body is well known. At Blue Heron Health News we often receive questions regarding what fish contain the most mercury and therefore should be avoided.
But did you know that up to half of all HFCS contains significant amounts of mercury? This was documented by researchers at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and published in the journal Environmental Health.
Not all HFCS contains these and other dangerous chemicals. There are ways to process HFCS more naturally. But these methods cost more and the fact is there are very limited methods to find out if the HFCS you’re consuming is naturally processed unless it’s clearly stated on the label.
So to be on the safe side, assume that if you consume HFCS, you’re swallowing down some mercury and medical disinfecting agents with it. Yummy!
Unfortunately, that’s not the worst part…
If we forget about any chemical or metabolic difference between sugar and HFCS, there is another thing that makes this “wonder product” even more dangerous.
In fact, it’s the great benefits the food industry LOVES about HFCS that should be the reason why you may want to avoid it at all cost.
You see, any kind of sweeteners in large consumption is unhealthy. Sugar, (just like HFCS) turns into fat, spikes your blood sugar, can ruin your metabolism, causes inflammation and free radicals, and raises cholesterol level and high blood pressure.
You can handle some sweets but too much is too much.
Now since HFCS is so cheap and so effective to make food look beautiful and stay fresh for a long, long time, HFCS is now found in EVERYTHING from sodas to pizza dough and bakery goods, to ice-cream or even meat. Almost any kind of processed food includes HFCS.
And by having HFCS included in everything, you automatically consume sweeteners in everything you eat and therefore more sugars (in one way or another) and LOTS of calories.
It’s no coincidence that sugar (HFCS) consumption skyrocketed after the mid 80s when HFCS took off. And surprisingly, that was exactly the time obesity took off in America as well as type 2 diabetes. The three components seem to go hand in hand in hand.
It’s no secret that USA has the biggest percentage of obesity anywhere in the world. USA is also the biggest consumer of HFCS. It really hasn’t taken off in the same way anywhere else in the world as in USA. Again coincidence? I think not.
So the main problem is not that HFCS is worse or less natural than cane and beet sugar (although it probably is) but that since it’s in everything, we’re eating more of it and it’s harder to avoid it.
This is a complicated issue and I really appreciate your input in our comment boxes below.
More info on managing type 2 diabetes naturally, click here…
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GM Faceook Friends, Please remember this article as you enjoy you holiday meals.
gosh, you have to be on your guard. as to what you are eating.
very interesting artical.
Keep in mind.
But how do you know if a product contains HFSC ??
I have heard that high fructose corn syrup cannot be used any where in europe because it is so bad for your health. I don’t understand why our FDA allows it. Is it because they get money for letting it into our food?
It is totally amazing to me the number of people that continue to alllow themselves to be hoodwinked by the food and dug industry. Wake up and smell the coffee. These people sre promoting self implosion with their presposterous claims about their products. Wake up people before you become another sad statistic.
It really quite simple. Start phasing out processed foods in your diet. Sodas, packaged foods, etc…. It's not all that hard. Not only is HFCS in processed foods, but a lot of packaged foods also contain MSG or Nitrates. Not good for any of us.
Sir,
I have gone thru. your article on HFCS Vs diabetes I have type 2 diabetes.
So this information is very important to me.
Sir I am facing a Peculiar problem. I am facing problem of uritheral stricture time and again. Urethoplasty recommended to me by doctor. I have gone thro the same but still facing problem. You have save the life of thousand will do any thing to me. During IOU (5time) I have seen on the monitor the blockage. Is there any medicine which could cut this obstaraction in the urethra gradually, However in alopathy doctor recommend me urethotomy now. But now I am scare of operation theater. Please guide me what to do. I have fate in doctors now but only fate on you as I read u r since last 2 years at my yahoo mail add.
I HAVE SENT NUMEROUS EMAILS TO CORN SUGAR. COM IN PROTEST OF THEIR COMMERCIAL REGARDING CLAIMING THAT CANE SUGAR IS THE SAME AS CORN SUGAR – THE BODY DOES NOT DIGEST THE TWO THE SAME WAY AND FRUCTOSE IS ASSOCIATED WITH MANY DISEASES AS YOUR ARTICLE POINTS OUT. FRUCTOSE AS A SWEETENER HAS BEEN BANED IN GERMANY AN EUROPE FOR OVER 30 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
well said Alice Tunell,& David Cambell, i`m finally meeting like minded people, I have two natural health busineses, and I considered myself reasonably healthy, I trained hard , stop drinking alcohol for a year and a half, yet I still could`nt shed the pounds and get my six pack , but now I have two of the best natural health docters to hand and the best in natural products selection.www.isexperia.com/523170 and f.l.p also have weekly trainings with 5 of the best nutritionists and relaxation coaches.. i`m the best i1`ve ever been now in my whole life , also been studying on removing the toxins from the body, on another project, hoping to open a shop to help everyone who`s being poisonend by the people we trust to look after our health & body`s…
The article give HFCS the benefit of the doubt. It is toxic. Period. I listened to a scientist talk about it on Mercola.com. I was stunned to hear him say that your body processes HFCS just like alcohol! It is able to pass the blood brain barrier, just like alcohol, but you don’t get high from it. WholeFoods has required all their suppliers to get rid of it. When I think of HFCS, I think of Heinz ketchup. Just that ONE product is in most homes, restaurants, schools, fast food joints, slobbered over millions of french fries, burgers, mac and cheese, and in recipes. And the FDA is not your friend when it comes to factory food. The people in the FDA come from the drug, toxic factory food, and all the corporations that suck our health away from us. That includes the USDA, both have Monsanto shills heading them. What about Codex Alimentarius? Have any of you called your representatives to complain about any of this? Complain, call the local offices and their washington offices. Do you really think the system cares about our health? Do your homework!
Read your article, check out these 2 books by David Gillespie 1.’Sweet Poison’ 2 ‘The Sweet Poison Quit Plan’ there is a web site as well, I had heard this book was not a huge hit in the USA, maybe because he is Australian and he has more of an Aussie bent on the contents, but still it is really worth the read. http://sweetpoison.com.au/ I read the books and will be starting the journey to a better me after Christmas (helped by my GP and Naturapath.
There latest campaign on TV these days is that "Sugar is sugar…your body doesn't know the difference" It's an insult to ones intellegence and the intellegence of the body itself. Which happens to be extremley intellegent. It's always about big business and big dollars.
Check out this book Ultra-metabolism by Mark Hyman, M.D. He states that HFCS
depresses the control of appetite mechanism in the brain, which then leads to increased calorie intake, weight gain. as well as high cholesterol and high blood pressure!!!! Once HFCS enters the cell it becomes an uncontrolled source of acetyl-CoA which affects the liver throwing more cholesterol and triglycerides out into the blood stream. HFCS doesn’t require the help of insulin so more fructose is circulating in the blood. The answer is to eat natural whole foods in their original state( like a fresh apple or a stalk of celery— not a waldorf salad gooped up with HFCS, mayonnaise with hydrogenated oils, salt) Eat plant based, high fiber foods including nuts and seeds,Wild caught Salmon, herring, sardines in water,grass fed cattle, and open range eggs. Anything in a box or can is now considered suspect in promoting disease.
Just a simple question. First if HFCS was just like sugar but cheaper why wouldn’t these companies lower the cost of their products? Right? they are able to produce a can of soda for say 2 cents vs. 7 cents with sugar.
One day in everyones life we might think, hey that company really does not care about us….because first they are not passing the savings on to us. These companies are just straight greedy and really do not care what happens to you…….it is all about their bottom line numbers! for the profits they receive.
Anyhow, HFCS is not sugar in any way. Anything modified by man is not natural regardless of what the FDA says. If God wanted you to have HFCS he would have made it.
Please please wise up.
Yup, we know for a fact that the body DOES know the difference and processes the sugars differently and that they have different effects on our brains. This was observed in a study in which some subjects ingested HFCS and others ingested natural sugar before being put in MRI's to see their brain activity.
And Diabetes is BIG business! They can sell you all kinds of disposable apparatus (aka consumables), expensive insulin shots for years that must be taken daily…then when kidney failure sets in, you can be counted on for dialysis treatments and then you are expected to check out. It's a plan…Please. OPT OUT!!!
SIR THANKS A LOT.
IT IS VERY IMPORTENT INFORMATION FOR ALL MENKIND.
Both of you ladies are so on the money!
Here is an article that points out that aspartame, which is also in most products as a sweetener, changes to toxic substances above 86 degrees. The body temperature is normal at 98.6 degrees.
http://www.holisticjunction.com/articles/The-Truth-About-Aspartame.html
I live in Costa Rica. I owned and operator a granola factory here for 20 years. The ingredients of my product were oats, wheat bran ,sesame seeds, soy oil, dried plantains ( dried in my fruit dryer), and tapa dulce ( pure cane sugar, juice squeezed out by oxen and boiled over an open fire.). No HFCS there. Except for fresh vegetables and fruit, it was probably the healthiest product in the country. I sold the factory, now the big cookie and cereal companies have taken it over and fill it full of you know what. I don’t buy that stuff, make my own at home.
You have to read labels, and work hard to keep it all out.
I totally agree with Stanley and Brianna. I have been passionate about this subject ever since I became aware of it in 2000, and I have been telling everyone I know about it. I firmly believe tha
According to Robert H. lustig M.D. your artical is right on but he tells it like it is. Sugar and HFCS are the same and do just as much damage to your liver. How about telling the world how to get that junk out of our liver. the FDA is a ciminal and should be put on trail for murdering it’s citizen.
There are two hormons that we need to take to get rid of that crap in our livers people Lustig mentioned them in his speech what are they. I am dead now and speaking from my grave through my brother. I was a drugist. Go get them citizens of the USA Just as we did after 9 11
According to Robert H.Lusting M.D.your artical is right on but he tells it like it is. Sugar and HFCS are the same and do just as much damage to your livers. How about telling the World how to get that junk out of our Livers. The FDA is a criminal and should be put on trail for murdering it’s citizens.
There are two hormons that need to be taken to get rid of that junk in our livders, Dr. Lustig mentioned them in his speech. What are they? I am speaking from my grave through me brother high blood pressure kills me. I was a drugest in life.
I have modified my comments please see the changes
Earl L. Butz was Secretary of Agriculture from 12-2-1971 to 10-4-1976. It was under his watch that HFCS came into wide spread commercial use. Several commenters and the author of this article have noted a causation between the time of its wide spread use in the USA and increased health care problems with various organ systems. The body believes it to be about six times sweeter than regular cane sugar so we eat more of it.
On inspections of food warehouses, where large bags of sugar had been carelessly stacked on wooded pallets or had been speared by the forks of a forklift truck, spilled sugar would be near the pallets and on the bags. Rodents that had been inside the building avoided the sugar but would consume other items leaving a trail of droppings and smudges along the sides of walls as the scurried to and fro inside the food warehouse. Seems the little critters are smarter than we are. A little bit of food humor here folks.
As it is virtually impossible to avoid HFCS because it is in almost everything you buy, the best solution is for it to be banned. Other countries have already done so and Michelle Obama has banned it from the white house, so someone needs to ban it from the American public as well!
I have wanted this info for so long; and here it is. I did read it some time ago, but printed it today to add to my file on hypertension/treatment, and much of these articles are on diabetes also, which I research often. Thank you, Jodi, Christian, and other Blue Heron writers and researchers. taylor
If Michele Obama banned HFCS from the White House, why didn’t she influence Barack to have it banned throughout the country?????