by Nina Hammiel Turner

Created on: February 06, 2009

High fructose corn syrup is a refined sugar made from processing cornstarch to yield glucose, otherwise known in common terms as corn syrup. The pure corn syrup is then processed to increase its fructose level and that corn syrup is then mixed with pure corn syrup. Some people may be fooled into thinking that high fructose corn syrup is good for them because fructose is the same sugar that is found in ripe fruits and honey, however high fructose corn syrup is highly refined and potentially dangerous.

High fructose corn syrup is used in many of today's processed foods and drinks including yogurt, spaghetti sauce, microwavable dinners, snack foods, fruit juice and soda. High fructose corn syrup gained recognition in the food world in the 1980s. Food manufacturers began using it because it was an inexpensive sweetener and possessed a longer shelf life than most other sweeteners. Unfortunately, the benefits of high fructose corn syrup do not outweigh the dangers, which can be potentially deadly. When ingested high fructose corn syrup travels to the liver and is immediately converted into fat. It has been linked to the American obesity epidemic, heart disease and cancer.

The recommended daily allowance of sugar is ten to twelve teaspoons per day, yet a can of soda, which is loaded with high fructose corn syrup has approximately thirteen teaspoons of sugar. This is just one example of one type of food that contains high fructose corn syrup. Our grocery store shelves are lined with foods filled with this cheap, unnatural sweetener that supports obesity, sickness and disease.

Obesity can lead to diabetes, sleep apnea, and heart disease. The more weight a person gains, the more dangerous the outcomes can be. Diabetes in turn can lead to heart disease, cause heart attacks and strokes. Meanwhile, obesity can also cause certain types of cancer and heavy high fructose corn syrup intake has also been linked to cancer. Since high fructose corn syrup travels immediately to the liver and is converted into fat, it also causes you to feel hungry or dissatisfied after eating or drinking whatever it is in.

High fructose corn syrup ingestion can be dangerous and people should be careful about how much they ingest. It is critical to read food labels and to limit the amount of high fructose corn syrup you consume. While high fructose corn syrup in itself is not a killer, it is absolutely a component in causing issues, which can lead to death and decreased health.

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