High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a corn sweetener that is abundantly found in processed foods of all kinds. When you walk into the grocery store and start looking at labels you will find high fructose corn syrup in almost everything from ketchup to crackers. There have many article and studies about the impacts of HFCS on the health and nutrition of people that consume it regularly. It is clear that the increase in the amount of sweeteners in foods has contributed to the obesity problem in the United States, and HFCS is part of the increase. There has been some inconclusive data that has linked HFCS as being disruptive to the metabolic process of the body causing abdominal weight gain. All the publicity has created a negative impression about the product so abundant in the food supply.
The Corn Refiners Association, which is the organization that represents the interest of companies that make high fructose corn syrup, has launched campaigns in recent years to try to improve the image HFCS. Their most recent decision has been to petition the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to change the name of high fructose corn syrup to corn sugar. The idea is that changing the name to corn sugar will reduce the confusion about the product. Currently almost 60 percent of Americans are concerned about HFCS. The argument for the name change is that HFCS has about the same amount of calories is table sugar and so it is not harmful or a concern for people. Economically the Corn Refiners Association wants to change the image and name because food producers are starting to remove HFCS because of the negative association.
As an advocate for healthy whole foods eating, my concern about high fructose corn syrup or corn sugar is not the name, it is how it affects the body. Too much sugar in any form in the body creates obesity and increases the risk for all chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. I think that most of the sweeteners that have been added to processed foods are dangerous, not just HFCS. In order to take back our health we need to focus on fresh whole foods as much as possible. This means looking at fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, nuts, seeds and beans. There are no labels on most of our whole foods so you don’t have to worry about HFCS or corn sugar.
Live Vibrantly,
Dr. Dae
Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com
Dr. Dae's Bio:
“Dr. Dae" (pronounced Dr. Day) Daemon Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who completed her training at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. She is certified as a General Practitioner by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). Dr. Dae provides tailored treatment to meet the unique needs of every individual she sees in her practice. She also provides specialized support for persons challenged by nutritional deficiencies, weight problems, hormonal and reproductive system disorders, attention deficit disorder and those experiencing chronic diseases. Dr. Dae is an adjunct faculty member for Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts. She is the author of Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living. Dr. Dae is a featured chef with www.myfoodmyhealth.com. Dr. Dae is a regularly featured writer for the Elite GoogleNews Website empowher.com where she shares her personal and professional vision for living whole and living well. To learn more about Dr. Dae, her products and services, please visit her on the Web at www.Healthydaes.com.