The Whole Truth About High Fructose Corn Syrup

You're in for a Sweet Surprise!

 
          A large percentage of all sweeteners used in the manufacturing of commercial food products, like the Ring Dings and Twinkies that should never see the light of day, or the dark confines of your mouth, are actually derived from corn, not sugar cane which is what most people think of when they hear the word sweetener.  I’ve never met anyone who imagines large fields of corn when someone says the word sweetener but, there it is on the label of your favorite plastic-wrapped, chemical concoction, `High-Fructose Corn Syrup`.  Most people haven’t got a clue as to what the heck high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is, and yet; many of the same people consume more of it than they do real sugar or some natural sugar substitutes like stevia.

            The creation of HFCS began in the 1970’s when it was discovered that it is much cheaper to get sugar from corn than from sugarcane.  Not only is HFCS cheaper than real sugar, it is also just as sweet.  You see, it's really all about money!  The food industry was hoping that people would not catch on and realize the damage that was being done by HFCS.  It is obvious now, that the corn industry is retaliating with commercials meant to insult the intelligence of health-conscious American by telling us that “it’s made from corn and has the same calories as sugar”.  If this is true (which it is by the way), then why not use real sugar?  These commercials are proof of how the food industry spreads around their half-truths and whole lies.  What are they hiding from us?  What is the whole truth about High-Fructose Corn Syrup?

            People usually think of fruit when they hear the word fructose.  The fructose in fruit is naturally occurring, has not been refined, and it is not as quickly absorbed because of the fiber found in fruits.  Let’s now consider how the body processes fructose.  It is processed in the jejunum which is the middle portion of the small intestine.  From there, fructose is transported to the liver for metabolism, it cannot be metabolized by every cell the way glucose can.  Also, naturally occurring fructose is bound to enzymes that are able to metabolize it properly.  In animal studies, when the liver is burdened with the task of metabolizing a large amount of pure fructose (like HFCS), fatty deposits and cirrhosis occur.  These effects are also seen in alcoholics.

            The High-Fructose Corn Syrup commercials state that it is made from corn and, therefore, it is natural.  HFCS does not occur naturally in nature and HFCS is so refined, it cannot even be compared with corn.  Cocaine is made from the coca plant, which is natural.  Does this mean that cocaine is also safe?  No, coca leaves may be safe, but cocaine is so refined and concentrated that it becomes toxic.  The food industry also states that HFCS is also “fine in moderation”.  This last statement bears an uncanny resemblance to statements made by manufacturers of another toxic product: cigarettes.  Are cigarettes fine in moderation or do they begin to damage your body the minute you become a sucker?  How about asbestos?  Is asbestos fine in moderation?  Would you give asbestos to your kids?  Some poisons are not meant to be consumed, even in moderation.  Next time you are grocery shopping, read the label because the food industry sticks this stuff in everything!

Update: Did you know that tumor cells use fructose to divide?  It appears that all sugars are                       NOT created equally.  In studies, tumors fed both fructose and glucose used the two                   different sugars in two different ways.  Glucose and fructose are metabolized differently                 by the body.  Fructose is readily metabolized by cancer cells to increase                               proliferation.  This is certainly one more reason to AVOID HIGH FRUCTOSE                         CORN SYRUP AT ALL COSTS!