High Fructose Corn Syrup and Health

by Gene
(FLA)

Hi BB,

I heard that study after study is now showing that consuming high fructose corn syrup is the fastest way to destroy your health and fructose in any form – especially high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) -- is the “worst of the worst”!

I know it is used a lot in processed foods. Why is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in particular so damaging to health?

Hi Gene,

Thank you for the excellent question. The issue of high fructose corn syrup and health is now in the spotlight. There is, as you note, plenty of research supporting the facts that high fructose corn syrup - HFCS for short - is very detrimental to health.

First, what is high fructose corn syrup? Sounds natural and harmless, right? Isn't fructose the kind of sugar found in fruit? And corn? Those are natural things...

Yes, they are. But HFCS doesn't come from Mother Nature! HFCS is manufactured by putting corn starch through several chemical changes. It may be promoted as "the same" as sugar, but it is not the same, or even similar to sugar. The body cannot metabolize HFCS - it cannot be used to create energy or new cells. To our bodies, HFCS is actually a toxic substance.

Fructose is a type of sugar found in fruit - fruit sugar. When you eat an apple, blueberries, bananas or any kind of fruit, you're getting a very small amount of fructose but in combination with other healthy substances such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fiber and other nutrients that the body needs.

But "high fructose" is a totally different animal! By itself and in such a higly refined state, fructose is detrimental to the body.

This issue of high fructose corn syrup and health really boils down to the difference between highly processed food and less processed food, such as the food that Mother Nature gives us directly.

What is healthy and what is not? Unhealthy foods are processed foods. Of course there are degrees of processing - the more processed, with refined sugar and additives - the more unhealthy. As you have observed, HFCS is used a lot in processed foods and drinks, notably "fruit" juices and sodas.

Choosing and consuming less processed, fresher foods will give your body the real fuel it needs to enjoy better health! Check out this article on Healthy Eating Guidelines .

To your health!
BB

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