High fructose corn syrup has been propelled into public consciousness in recent years as study after study uncovers its negative effect on health. Those who are diet conscious have been aware of the problem for years: it’s difficult to find an ingredient listing for any grocery store item that doesn’t include high fructose corn syrup or some variation thereof. High fructose corn syrup is in almost everything today, from bread to canned meats.
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1. High fructose corn syrup is not a natural sugar.
It is created using an obscure chemical process, and it only uses corn because of the dramatic corn subsidies that the government provided to increase corn crops. Because of this artificial nature, the body doesn’t quite know what to do with it. It enters the blood stream faster than natural sugars, thereby causing all the problems that normal sugars do, but worse.
2. High fructose corn syrup is an appetite stimulant.
It interferes with a chemical called leptin which manages your hunger cravings, thereby making you crave more food. This is great for the grocery industry–and, by association, the corn industry–but not for your waistline.
3. High fructose corn syrup doesn’t taste as good as sugar.
In blind tests, sugar clearly outperforms high fructose corn syrup in a variety of beverages and foods. The only reason sugar is not used is because it’s more expensive. While both sugar and high fructose corn syrup should be consumed in moderation, when it is consumed it might as well taste the best.
4. High fructose corn syrup is having an effect on our environment.
The massive corn crops being grown to supply high fructose corn syrup are severely detrimental, as they require large doses of dangerous pesticides.
5. High fructose corn syrup may cause serious health problems.
Again, because of the artificial nature of this syrup, its ramifications on the body’s health may not be clear for some time. However, elevated levels of mercury have been found in corn syrup, and it has been linked with kidney disease in women.
High fructose corn syrup is an unhealthy and unnecessary addition to anyone’s diet, and it only exists because of government policies and corporate greed. While this may initially seem paranoid, a simple trip to your grocery store to read the list of ingredients on common items will clearly show how deeply high fructose corn syrup is entrenched in our modern diet. When at all possible, high fructose corn syrup should be avoided. The way it affects the body is poorly understood but almost universally found to be negative.
This article was written by the healthy living experts at CompressionStocking.co, the online leader in compression stockings.