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June 22, 2010
Do you eat food products containing high fructose corn syrup? HFCS is a product that is manufactured from corn, and it is not a whole, natural food. It is broken down chemically in a laboratory and then reassembled as HFCS. Most HFCS is produced from genetically-modified corn.
You can get an idea of how corn syrup is produced is from a very interesting film called King Corn. Two young men go to Iowa and are given a piece of land on which to grow conventional corn for one season. Through the film they learn just how corn is grown and harvested, and about all the different products we consume that contain corn.
One of the highlights of the film is when the two friends decide to investigate just how corn syrup is made, attempt to visit a corn syrup plant and then make their own batch of corn syrup at home. I highly recommend watching this documentary which shows two young men who decide they want to trace the roots of the corn industry in America.
Here are some products containing this artificially produced sweetener:
- many other processed food products
Here is a short list of fast food restaurants using HFCS in their products:
Here are some of the dangers associated from consuming HFCS*:
- The development of metabolic syndrome, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and and increase in triglycerides and LDL or bad cholesterol levels. Because it wreaks such havoc on the digestive system, it also causes liver disease.
- HFCS is devoid of nutrients and will actually strip nutrients from the body.
- HFCS contains unbound fructose in massive quantities, and this prevents the cardiovascular system’s use of magnesium, copper, and chromium – essential minerals for heart function.
(*source, Weston A. Price Foundation)
The American Corn Refiner’s Association maintains an elaborate web site proclaiming the virtues of HFCS as a natural sweetener, and why not? Besides manufacturing “natural sweeteners”, they are a multi-billion dollar corporation and leaders in the industries producing biotechnology, ethanol, starch, corn oil, and feed products. They have leading medical and health experts and “research” backing their claims that HFCS is an important component in the human diet, and continue to tell the public that this substance does not cause obesity, heart disease, nor diabetes.
The corn grower’s association also has produced various advertisements making the claim that it has “natural ingredients”, is made from corn and is “fine in moderation”. Oh, really?:
It is no wonder it is so pervasive in our food supply and people are so convinced it is a harmless substance for consumption. It is important to remember that when you are looking for answers, always check to find out who is funding the research and what the entity providing said funding has to gain from such activity.
Be aware that HFCS is toxic to the body and is found in many processed foods. To avoid this dangerous substance, eat natural, traditional, and organic foods. You will find that your health will flourish and you will avoid many health issues.
Here’s a good list of healthy sweeteners to be used in moderation:
- Stevia – the green, powdered form that is unrefined (avoid Truvia and other refined versions of Stevia that are processed and white, liquid Stevia is an acceptable second as it still doesn’t spike blood sugar levels the way many other refined sweeteners)
- Maple syrup (real maple syrup, grade B is the best choice as it contains trace minerals and nutrients)
- Lakanto by Body Ecology – a naturally fermented sweetener from the luo han guo fruit and non-GMO erythritol; does not spike blood sugar or feed candida; fantastic for baked goods
Keep in mind that although these sweeteners are better for you and many of them do contain nutrients, they should also be used only on occasion. Human beings naturally gravitate toward sweet tastes, it’s encoded in our DNA. However, any sweetener you consume too much of can cause your body to stop burning fat as a fuel source and ultimately can have an adverse affect on normal weight levels in your body. Sweeteners also overload your pancreas, cause digestion to be sluggish, and also have a negative impact on normal appetite, energy, and mood levels.
Here are some ways to cut back on sweets:
- When you feel a sweet tooth urge coming on, try eating some cheese or nuts, or some other food you enjoy containing a healthy fat. Often when you crave sweets, it’s a signal that your body really needs something with healthy fats
- Keep fruit around to snack on
- Avoid making baked goods and foods with starches or grains in them too often. These foods, even when prepared properly, can become addictive and also contain sugar – even though it’s natural sugar – which can still have adverse effects on health when consumed too often
- Allow yourself a treat every now and then – designate a time for eating something sweet and stick to it. Then don’t eat that treat again until the next designated time, such as once or twice a week. When you do eat treats, make them healthy with healthy sweeteners and avoid artificial sweeteners like HFCS, Splenda, aspertame, Truvia, or saccharine.
- Maintain a diet with healthy, whole foods. The more satisfied your body is nutritionally, the less you will crave sugar which is really often a sign that you are hungry and need real food.
- When you do eat sweets, consider adding a natural healthy fat to your treat such as real cream, cheese, butter, coconut oil, or milk. Real fats help balance out the spike we experience in our blood sugar levels and can keep things in our digestive process more even when we consume sweets.
For an overview of corn and its impact on our health and the environment, read How the FDA, corn, and oil are killing people.
To read more of Raine Saunders writing please visit www.agriculturesociety.com
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