Shut Your Cornhole

..... alrighty then, but before I do that - I'm not here to give corn a bad rap. Corn, although is a known allergy and can cause issues with certain digestive disorders, is not only the most favoured summer vegetable or some would argue grain, but it's rich in vitamin C, and eye protective antioxidants. So I'll leave corn alone for now....

I'm actually here to carve a fresh new one on it's ugly cousin - High Fructose Corn Syrup.

I remember finding that yellow beehive looking container in the back of the cupboard, and pouring that stuff on pancakes as a child. *insert gagging here*

High-Fructose Corn Syrup, made from corn - is a common sweetener in sodas, fruit drinks, pancake syrups, ketchup, cookies, commercial baked goods, pasta sauces, breakfast cereals, canned food - the list is endless - in fact, large food manufacturers are like the guys from Frank's Red Hot Sauce "I put that shit on everything". And literally... that shit IS in almost everything. I dare you to go pick up a random label from your pantry and read it. Its so commonly used and it's use has increased so much in the last few decades - and so has obesity and related chronic illness - some wonder if there is actually a connection.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is chemically similar to table sugar - the PROBLEM is, the body processes it differently than table sugar. There is no evidence though that it is any less healthier than table sugar.

What we do know, added sugars of all kinds can contribute to unwanted calories leading to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high triglyceride levels and increased risk of heart disease.

So why do they use it so much? One word - cheap. High fructose corn syrup is actually banned in many places in Europe, or heavily regulated.

FYI - Fructose is naturally occurring in fruit. Consuming fruit, which is a whole food is difficult to consume the amount of fructose needed to cause serious disease. Fruit also has fibre, which slows glucose absorption. So don't try to equate the two.

Ok.. so why is this getting such a bad rap? Still not convinced? Keep reading.

1. HFCS adds an unnatural amount of fructose to the diet. Fructose is metabolized differently and needs to be broken down into glucose before the body can use it. Unlike table sugar, which is also 50% fructose, it is a richer and higher source of fructose, therefore consuming too much can lead to health problems.

2. Increases your risk of fatty liver disease. Your liver stores excess sugar - as fat. Research has found that fructose ends up being stored as more fat in the liver, than glucose. Liver fat accumulation can lead to serious health problems like type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease

3. Increases risk of obesity - We already know increased sugar consumption increases calories taken in, and leads to weight gain.

4. Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes - Regular consumption leads to insulin resistance, and decreases your body's ability to regulate blood sugar. It may also play a role in metabolic disorder, heart disease and certain cancers.

5. Can increase the risk of other serious diseases. - HFCS has been shown to increase inflammation in the body which over time can trigger a cascade of other health problems. Many I've mentioned already in this blog - so I think you get the hint.

Bottom line - there are no essential nutrients in it.

.... and when you consume empty calories, you leave less room for the good stuff.

So if this made you think a little, next time you're walking the middle aisle of the grocery store - take a minute to read that can of spaghetti sauce. If you can make the small little changes of buying more organic or sugar free options, do it. You'll save yourself the trouble in a few years of chronic health issues. You might even notice the stuff without it tastes better.

xoxo

Amanda