High Fructose Corn Syrup May Be Killing You

Prior to the 1970s, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) didn't exist. Sugar was the primary sweetener that was used in most manufactured food products. However, around the mid 1970s that began to change. At that time manufacturers learned how to make a new sweetener that was much sweeter than sugar. Plus, it cost less to make, had a longer shelf life, and wasn’t subject to freezer bu like sugar. Manufacturers began to add it to more and more products as time went by. Initially, we had no idea how dangerous this product would be. However, we've learned quite a bit about it since that time. First of all, HFCS is digested differently from sugar. When ingested, it goes directly to your liver, which releases enzymes instructing your body to store fat. In turn, this increases blood cholesterol levels while simultaneously increasing blood triglyceride levels. Additionally, it inhibits the secretion of insulin, a hormone that your pancreas normally secretes as you eat. One of insulin's functions is to let you know that you're full. In contrast, HFCS doesn't do that at all. As a result, you eat more than you should. Indeed, population studies suggest that the current obesity epidemic started around the time that HFCS began to be added to the foods we eat. Furthermore, another of HFCS's detrimental health benefits is it also lowers levels of the mineral chromium. Decreased levels of chromium are associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes. Consequently, nutritionists now think that consuming high levels of this sweetener may contribute to a number of other health problems such as a shortening of your life span. Laboratory mice that were fed a diet low in copper, but high in high fructose corn syrup only lived five weeks. Laboratory mice usually live around two years. Moreover, not only does HFCS cause you to gain weight, it causes you to gain weight in your abdominal area. For the most part, nutritionists think that increased levels of abdominal fat puts you at greater risk for developing conditions such as heart disease and metabolic syndrome. In all this, an alarming statistic was published in 2006, when five publications reported that adolescents, college students, and adults under 50 were getting as much as 20% of their daily calories from HFCS sweetened beverages. On final analysis, if you think it is only found in products that normally contain sugar, think again. It is now added to a multitude of other food products. It is what gives bread its attractive color. Fast-food restaurants include in their buns, condiments, and drinks. In conclusion, here are a few tips that will help keep mineral levels high and high fructose corn syrup levels low. nn1) Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Many canned foods contain high levels of HFCS so avoid them whenever possible.nn2) Consider taking a vitamin. It is very difficult to get the needed amounts of chromium from diet alone so supplementation may be needed. n n3) Read the labels. HFCS may be found in foods you least suspect. Look for alte atives to these foods, or consider making them from scratch. More and more, HFCS has become a popular ingredient in many of the foods we eat today. The next time you visit your supermarket, start checking the labels. You might be surprised at what you find! For more information on HFCS, click on this link:nHigh Fructose Corn Syrup Is An Extremely Dangerous Food Additivennnn

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