High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener derived from corn starch that contains a mixture of glucose and fructose. It is commonly used in processed foods and beverages due to its low cost and ability to enhance flavor and extend shelf life. The most common forms of HFCS are HFCS-55 (found in sugary sodas) and HFCS-42 (used in foods like baked goods).
How HFCS can be harmful to humans:
Increased risk of obesity: HFCS, like other added sugars, can contribute to excess calorie consumption, which may lead to weight gain and obesity. Studies suggest that the body processes fructose differently than glucose, potentially leading to an increased storage of fat, especially around the abdomen.
Metabolic issues: High consumption of HFCS has been linked to insulin resistance, a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. It may also lead to fatty liver disease, as fructose is metabolized by the liver and can promote fat accumulation there.
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease: A diet high in HFCS has been associated with increased levels of triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood, which can raise the risk of heart disease. It may also contribute to inflammation and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Impact on appetite regulation: Some research suggests that consuming large amounts of fructose may interfere with the body’s ability to regulate hunger and satiety, leading to overeating and cravings for more sweet foods.
Addiction-like behavior: Due to its effect on the brain’s reward centers, excessive consumption of HFCS (and sugar in general) can trigger addictive behaviors, making it harder for individuals to control their sugar intake.
Although moderate consumption of HFCS is generally considered safe by health authorities, its overuse in processed foods, particularly in sugary beverages, has raised concerns about its long-term health effects. Reducing intake of HFCS, along with other added sugars, is widely recommended for better overall health.
High fructose corn syrup is banned in many countries, one of those being Australia. I spent a month in Australia in December of 2023, the amount of junk food that is offered in America compared to Australia’s stores is ridiculous. Just from spending a month in that country, I could tell a major difference in my energy levels and how much better I felt, as well as not feeling bloated after eating.
My daughter developed Chrone’s disease. They were going to cut out some of her colon. She asked me to come visit and fix her. I took her off all food and gave her bone broth (38 years old). After a week of doing this, we went to her appointment with the surgeon. They scheduled the surgery three days later based on pictures they took a few weeks before. When he went in, the colon looked good and he did not cut anything out. When my daughter researched and found Chrone’s disease chat rooms, it suggested that Corn syrup and HFCS were one of the culprit to destroying the colon lining. Sure enough as she entered things back in her diet, those were the 2 things that emediately caused evacuation. It has been very challenging for here to avoid these 2 ingredients. She calls companies, talks to the restaurants…(which are not very cooperative) and when the corn syrup or HFCS is not revealed on the label or in question, and she has a strong reaction she knows it was in there hidden. I would not call it an allergy, it is an extreme sensitivity. Here are some of the names corn Syrup is hidden under:
• Maize syrup
• Glucose syrup
• Gluecose-froctose syrup
• Tapioca syrup
• Fruit Fructose
• Crystalline fructose
• HFCS
• Isoglucose (EU)
• (GFS) glucose-fructose syrup (EU)
• Corn syrup
• Dahlia syrup
• Isomerized Sugar (Japan)
• Natural Flavors**
With more research we have found the detrimental effects of HFCS:
• Increased Obesity-lacks satiety
• HFCS is metabolized in the liver and converted to visceral fat.
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease
• Dyslipidemia - high cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides,
• Pancreatic cancer
• Metabolic Syndrome (Aging Diseases)
• Bowel and Intestinal disease
• Impairs dopamine function-mood disorder/impulsive
It is a maize navigating for those with extreme sensitivities/allergies through deceptive labeling. How many people could easily solve their health problems just by avoiding these 2 products. When I have young clients on stomach meds and want something to help, I tell them to read labels and avoid Corn syrup, HFCS and Splenda (a bane in itself) and they are able to come off their meds. They have grown up with these in their diet eating processed foods.
Thanks
Kathy Evans
We have an obesity pandemic and it’s putting a heavy burden (pun intended) on the healthcare system. Since we have semi-socialized medicine, and the healthy are subsidizing the sick, then we do have a right to tell other people what not to eat, because their excessive healthcare costs are coming out of our pockets. I would be all for the libertarian approach, if people paid the price for their own poor decisions in having a terrible diet. But in our current system – we should ban all kinds of poisonous junk food, especially HFCS and seed oils.
Again, by that logic, we would have a right to tell other people what not to smoke and drink, also. It’s a slippery slope to alcohol prohibition and beyond. I don’t agree that an outright ban is the right way to go.
I am happy to extend my previous argument to tobacco and alcohol too. As long as I’m not subsidizing someone else’s self destructive choices, they are welcome to do whatever they want to themselves.
I think you’re arguing that the state would be infringing on personal freedoms to eat and use recreational drugs which are an individual choice. That’s true. But it’s also an infringement on my rights to use my property (money) as I see fit, if I am forced by the state to pay for the healthcare costs of someone who chose to eat, smoke, or drink as they do.
But therein lies the problem - they would not be welcome to do whatever they want to themselves if there’s a ban. A ban means zero tolerance, and it includes everyone. You would not be able to have a glass of wine with your dinner. I do not agree with a ban.
People aren’t necessarily “choosing” to eat this product. Food and items on our shelves can still be made without it. People are consuming this ingredient regularly without knowing, so I have to disagree with that logic. If other countries ban it, why can’t we for the sake of our citizens health?
I highly disagree with this concept although I get where you’re coming from. The difference is, tabaco and alcohol products are obvious products that are basically “consume at your own risk” as they even have the risks on the packaging. HFCS is put into almost any sweet food that we have on our shelves in America, although it’s listed on the tiny ingredient labels most people consume it unknowingly, or at least not knowing how terrible it is for our bodies. If your logic is correct, then there should be major labels on any food product that contains the ingredient showing a warning such as alcohol and tobacco do.
I completely agree with labeling food to show if and how much HFCS is included in the product. We are doing that to some degree, but I’m not against making the labeling more prominent. Much better than a ban.