5 Health Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup

Discussion in 'Survival Medicine' started by Brokor, Nov 13, 2012.


?
  1. Zero. I stay away from corn syrup as a substitute for natural sugars

    8 vote(s)
    44.4%
  2. Less than 5 in my shopping list

    5 vote(s)
    27.8%
  3. More than 5 but less than a dozen

    2 vote(s)
    11.1%
  4. I don't pay attention to the ingredients or I never thought about HFC

    3 vote(s)
    16.7%
  5. High fructose corn syrup conspiracy theories are silly, I trust corporations completely

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    5 Health Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup | Natural Health & Organic Living Blog

    5 Health Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup

    It’s no secret that high fructose corn syrup is detrimental to your health. Unfortunately, it’s also no secret that it has replaced other forms of sugar in a disturbingly large number of manufactured foods. Even worse is that most high fructose corn syrup is made from genetically modified corn.
    Since the late 1980s, HFCS has replaced regular table sugar, honey, and similar sweeteners in practically everything. Prolonged consumption of HFCS is now the topic of much debate and we are learning that it can cause long-term damage to the body.
    A number of studies conducted over the past few decades indicates that consumption of HFCS is connected with a wide range of health concerns. Here are a few of the more important health dangers of high fructose corn syrup you should know about:

    High Fructose Corn Syrup Dangers

    1. Significant Risk of Weight Gain & Obesity
    The list of studies that show HFCS to cause increased weight gain over other forms of sweeteners is much too long to put into this post. One of the better, and more recent ones, was conducted at Princeton University[1], and found that rats that were fed HFCS gained fat 300% more quickly than those fed an equal (or slightly larger) dose of fruit-derived sugar.
    2. Increased Risk of Developing Type-2 Diabetes
    Over the years, consumption of high-fructose corn syrup can lead to a huge increase in the likelihood of developing diabetes.[2] The worst part about it is how easily this life-long condition can be avoided in most cases. Excessive amounts of soda, energy drinks and junk-food simply aren’t worth losing a foot or going blind or harming your children.
    3. Hypertension and Elevated “Bad” Cholesterol Levels
    High-fructose doesn’t just make your body fat. It makes your heart fat too. There is a strong link between the irresponsible consumption of high fructose corn syrup and elevated triglyceride and HDL (bad cholesterol) levels.[3] Together these can cause arterial plague build-up and eventually lead to dangerous heart conditions including hypertension, heart disease, and even stroke.
    4. High Fructose Corn Syrup & Long-Term Liver Damage
    This is a big one that a lot people overlook. Like anything else you eat or drink, HFCS is processed by your liver, gallbladder and kidneys. And it’s especially destructive to your liver. When combined with a sedentary lifestyle, permanent liver scarring can occur.[4] This greatly diminishes the organ’s ability to process out toxins and, over time, can lead to an expansive range of other negative health concerns. Another study suggests that HFCS may also cause fatty liver.[5]
    5. Mercury Exposure from HFCS
    Even if you were already aware of previously mentioned risks associated with corn syrup, there’s a good chance that you didn’t know it also often loaded with alarmingly high levels of mercury. In a study conducted just last year they found mercury in over 50 percent of the samples tested.[6] Mercury exposure can result in irreversible brain and nervous system damage – especially in young, growing bodies. This is especially worrisome with the abundance of HFCS in children-target foodstuffs.

    Alternatives to High Fructose Corn Syrup

    The dangers of high fructose corn syrup are both numerous and severe. Some estimate the more than one-third of the American food supply has been polluted by it. If you’re looking to cut back on your exposure to corn-sugar, I urge you to start really reading product labels if you don’t already. As an alternative, I would personally recommend zylitol, stevia or raw local honey as a sweetener.
     
  2. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    I shop with Glasses & mag Glasses ..
    The printing on MADE in USA food is so small, new words PLUS.

    European ingredients are in "English" & readable print..
    Naturals flavours is a BS word for additives .
    We have been watching Frankin foods from USA since 1980's
    Hence why Monsanto seed frankin foods have been restricted in Euro & kick to the curb around the world.

    It started in the corn !! Wheat was next & crap.

    Sloth
     
    Georgia_Boy likes this.
  3. Evil

    Evil A rock n roll girl loving life!

    I have tried not to buy things with HFC in the last 2-3 years. A lot of my "staple" foods (the items I buy and consume the most) have removed them in that time (Yoplait, Quaker bars, etc). I know I can't get away from all of it, I eat out A LOT on the road. At home I try my best. I know that crap it is addicting. My sugar addiction is redick and when I REALLY crave, it is for items that have HFC, not natural sugars.
     
    Brokor likes this.
  4. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    It's tough. Yesterday, I was shopping quickly for some eggs, bread, cereal, milk and I had a craving for hot dogs and beans. All of these foods except the milk and eggs had high fructose corn syrup as one of the ingredients. I thought, "hot dogs, really?" and wondered at the possibilities.

    Apparently, the GMO industry has weaseled its way into every corner of the food market, replacing natural ingredients with cheaper, more heavily pushed corn syrup derivatives. I did manage to find some hot dogs with no artificial flavors or ingredients, no corn syrup, but like all processed meat of its type --sodium nitrite. Now, the sodium nitrite is not bad as long as it is one of the very last ingredients listed. There is more sodium nitrite in some vegetables than in a lot of processed meats. Anyway, I managed to locate the rest of my foods on the list which have no high fructose corn syrup derivatives. I found "Honey Bunches of Oats" Raisin Medley on the shelf advertised on the front of the box in bold print, "NO CORN SYRUP" --some manufacturers are now aware of the fact that some folks are staying away from their foods because of the ingredients, and that's a good thing. It is still a good idea to read everything inside. As Cruisin Sloth mentioned, "Natural Flavors" can be almost anything, and it doesn't mean it's natural. Another trick used is "*insert ingredient* flavored" and "Other natural flavors" --the term "flavor" is to be equated with "additive", and it is not necessarily healthy or natural. Take a look at the ingredient list of Sunny Delight...

    Sunny Delight -
    Ingredients: Water, High Fructose, Corn Syrup and 2% or Less of Each of the Following: Concentrated Juices (Orange, Tangerine, Apple, Lime, Grapefruit). Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Beta-Carotene, Thiamin Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Natural Flavors, Food Starch-Modified, Canola Oil, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Benzoate To Protect Flavor, Yellow #5, Yellow #6

    Another great way to test a food source for quality is to look at the ingredients briefly and see if the primary food is the first ingredient listed. You may be surprised to find it listed after some pretty nefarious ingredients.

    -Read More Here about ingredient listings on food labels.
     
  5. Evil

    Evil A rock n roll girl loving life!

    I am a label reader for sure... I hate that they HIDE what the item really is under/in other stuff. I am allergic to MSG and chips get me every time.
     
  6. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    Broker , Ms Evil
    What you posted as food is
    processed byproducts of what was once food.
    Not saying cheese dose not have stuff added to the milk , BUT not processed packaged / 51u-qpTUCIL.01._SR300,300_.

    That is not Cheese . it even say "Product" ..

    Real cheese , with no crap can be waxed and last for a year , probably the same for the junk above , but your embalming yourself .
    The real problem we had is to find flour & basic staples (Sugar ,salt, etc) that has not been Monsanto frankinized .
    Rogers Flour (Canuk Company) only uses spelt seed or un modified grain.

    You need to look deeper than a label sometimes. Ms Sloth spent time on the phone with them to get the real nitty-gritty. Now with that call she learn't much more of who else & others that shy away from Monsanto (round up ,there only good at killing).
    We eat FOOD .

    Sloth's
    51u-qpTUCIL.01._SR300,300_.
     
  7. Evil

    Evil A rock n roll girl loving life!

    ewe
    eewww I don't think I've eaten "cheese" slices in 20 years....ick LOL it doesn't even TASTE like cheese!![/quote]
    51u-qpTUCIL.01._SR300,300_.
     
  8. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Oh, as a kid I used to love eating Velveeta. No lies! [touchdown]

    I just get local dairy cheese, milk and eggs now.
     
  9. BTPost

    BTPost Stumpy Old Fart,Deadman Walking, Snow Monkey Moderator

    Velveeta and Spam was a staple around here, back in our Poor Days, when we were first married. (39+ Year ago) This winter we have two cases of Spam, and last night, AlaskaChick made one of her original Spam Dinners, from the "Old Days".... It was Great... I enjoyed it.... ..... YMMV....
     
    Brokor likes this.
  10. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    39 years ago Mr Bruce the meat additives were not the same as they are NOW.
    Wine didn't have "Sulphates" (type of anti-freeze glycerol ) added for sweetness and aging.
    No worries , I hear twinkies have a shelf life of 200 years..Hostess closes , 850 lost jobs
    Wonder what a Chinese Twinkie will taste like..
    If they would print the real truth on the ingredients that's in the packaging , then you might have the idea of the chemicals your getting.
    The amount of antibiotics they use before your beef , chicken ,pork is processed would floor you.. (medicated free) many different words there using now , "organic " is an overused word of lies.
    Certified organic is as close as one can get , but still hoping not GMO.
    European food has a much higher standard,too bad the FDA is run by Monsanto ex employees & the corporate , NOT the People.

    Sloth
     
    Brokor likes this.
  11. Georgia_Boy

    Georgia_Boy Monkey+++

    I am an anal label reader. I do the cooking as I started when we traveled on our sailboat and my beautiful bride got ill underway down in the galley. In the survey above, I changed my vote from zero to <5 as HFCS is in just about anything you'll find in a store.
    My BB has just discovered through a series of hydrogen breath tests that she is fructose and sorbitol intolerant. Shopping/cooking with those restrictions is very difficult but doable. Proteins from amaranth and quinoa as additions to seafood/meats/shellfish.
    Her intolerance side effects are quite disabling and I'll spare the board with the details. As a Georgia Peach her (past tense) favorite dessert was divinity which has as its main ingredient, HFCS. I've tried it with a combo of stevia and a bit of honey. Not really successful, just a poor imitation. Texture was the problem.
    The FDA, and many other .gov alphabets are killing off many citizens while allowing enterprises like MONSterSANTO to exist with their Frankenfood creations. Apparently these workerbees are soul-less drones....
    GB
     
  12. Brokor

    Brokor Live Free or Cry Moderator Site Supporter+++ Founding Member

    Another great substitute is pure cane sugar, unrefined. It is typically tan or brown (demerara).
    I have tried Stevia, and still have a bag of it. I don't like the flavor, but it is a healthy alternative. Honey is great, but only if it is raw or made locally by trusted businesses.

    There's almost no telling what is truly in most foods today. There are many loopholes and legal jargon that typically conceals the real ingredients.
     
  13. Evil

    Evil A rock n roll girl loving life!

    I have found with Stevia less is better. seems like if I put too much i don't like the taste either. When I changed to using the packets rather than self spooning I find I use less and I like the flavor better.
     
  14. Cruisin Sloth

    Cruisin Sloth Special & Slow

    Maple Syrup Is what we also use Evil .Stevia is also one of the Ms tools .
    I use organic pure raw cane sugar in my beer making & the concentrate from Down under.. ISO 2010 chemical free.

    GB , Im also the Galley slave on board , but when the Ms cooks @ the ranch ,I'm put to shame.

    Sloth
     
  15. tulianr

    tulianr Don Quixote de la Monkey

    How Corn Syrup Might Be Making Us Hungry-and Fat

    By Katherine Harmon | Scientific American – 5 hrs ago
    How Corn Syrup Might Be Making Us Hungry-and Fat - Yahoo! News

    EXCERPTS:
    Grocery store aisles are awash in foods and beverages that contain high-fructose corn syrup. It is common in sodas and crops up in everything from ketchup to snack bars. This cheap sweetener has been an increasingly popular additive in recent decades and has often been fingered as a driver of the obesity epidemic. These fears may be well founded.

    Fructose, a new study finds, has a marked affect on the brain region that regulates appetite, suggesting that corn syrup and other forms of fructose might encourage over-eating to a greater degree than glucose. Table sugar has both fructose and glucose, but high-fructose corn syrup, as the name suggests, contains a higher proportion of fructose.

    To test how fructose affects the brain, researchers studied 20 healthy adult volunteers. While the test subjects consumed sweetened beverages, the researchers used fMRIs (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to measure the response of the hypothalamus, which helps regulate many hunger-related signals, as well as reward and motivation processing.
    .............

    Subjects showed substantial differences in their hypothalamic activity after consuming the fructose-sweetened beverage versus the one sweetened by glucose within 15 minutes. Glucose lowered the activity of the hypothalamus but fructose actually prompted a small spike to this area.

    As might be expected from these results, the glucose drink alone increased the feelings of fullness reported by volunteers, which indicates that they would be less likely to consume more calories after having something sweetened with glucose than something sweetened with more fructose.

    Fructose and glucose look similar molecularly, but fructose is metabolized differently by the body and prompts the body to secrete less insulin than does glucose (insulin plays a role in telling the body to feel full and in dulling the reward the body gets from food). Fructose also fails to reduce the amount of circulating ghrelin (a hunger-signaling hormone) as much as glucose does.
    ............

    "The reality, however, is that hunger and fullness are major determinants of how much humans eat, just as thirst determines how much humans drink. These sensations cannot simply be willed away or ignored." In order to eat less (and consume fewer calories overall), they argued, then, one should avoid foods or ingredients that fail to satisfy hunger. And that, according to the results from the new study, would mean those fructose-sweetened foods--and drinks.
     
    Brokor and Quigley_Sharps like this.
  16. -06

    -06 Monkey+++

    BT, we have 39 in also. Am allergic to MSG like "Evil". Makes me wonder what it is doing on my insides. Get runny nose, watery eyes, and sneeze a few times.
     
  17. alaskachick

    alaskachick A normally quiet snow monkey

    OK. DH turned us in over spam. It definitely is not the same product it used to be. BTW we also have 8 packages of Hostess choc. cupcakes in the pantry. Not to eat, but for an investment. When we got the news about the shutdown, I immediately went to our little store and grabbed them off the shelf. They are also not the same as when I was a kid.(not worth the calories for sure). :)
     
  18. alanz

    alanz Monkey+

    Here's an article about 8 "health foods" that have high fructose corn syrup: Sneaky Syrup. That crap is everywhere! I've been avoiding sugar and carbs in general, but it's frustrating because high sugar and high carb foods usually store well.
     
  19. DMGoddess

    DMGoddess Monkey+++

    If you're allergic to MSG, then stay away from anything that says 'natural flavoring'. Due to some legalistic BS, they can hide it under there. Also, if you haven't noticed yet, you will most likely develop a sensitivity or allergy to soy. The only soy products I can tolerate are oil and soy sauce. Apparently, they don't carry the allergens. Soy lecithin is a maybe, and anything else, including 'vegetable protein' is on my verboten list. The only non-meat protein I can trust is whey protein, and I have to watch that because I'm lactose intolerant - another byproduct of an allergy to MSG, somehow. Be very VERY careful. The stuff's in EVERYTHING.
     
    Brokor likes this.
  20. DMGoddess

    DMGoddess Monkey+++

    It's very easy to over-use an artificial sweetener. If you use too much, it tastes funny. If you have to use loose instead of packets, i'd advise on getting either a baby food spoon, or the smallest of a set of spoon measures (1/8 teaspoon?) and use that in moderation. You can always add a bit more. On a slightly funny note, I have an antique snuff spoon that works quite well!
     
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