High Fructose Corn Syrup

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) comprises any of a group of corn syrups that has undergone enzymatic processing to convert some of its glucose into fructose to produce a desired sweetness. HFCS typically contains a mixture of 45 percent glucose and 55 percent fructose

The corn-based sweetener is found throughout the American diet, in everything from sugary foods like soda and cookies to savory products like tomato sauce and salad dressing.

HFCS was invented in the 1960s and has been used extensively in consumer products since only the late 1970s. Being less expensive to produce makes it more attractive to manufacturers than regular sugar.

Nearly half of the 20 HFCS samples tested in a recent study contained small amounts of potentially harmful mercury, according to a report in Environmental Health. While the Corn Refiners Association argues that the research was based on outdated information, another study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy found that one-third of all HFCS-containing foods it bought in the fall of 2008 tested positive for the toxin. The researchers believe that HFCS is probably the source: A compound known as caustic soda, which is used to separate the corn starch from the kernel, can be tainted with mercury, and there's no way for you to know whether the caustic soda used was contaminated, according to study author David Wallinga, MD. Although much of the US production of caustic soda uses mercury-free technology, not all manufacturers worldwide have followed suit, adding fuel to the argument for minimizing HFCS intake.

When you eat 120 calories of glucose, less than one calorie is stored as fat. 120 calories of HFCS, on the other hand, results in 40 calories being stored as fat. Consuming HFCS is essentially consuming fat!

The metabolism of fructose by your liver creates a long list of waste products and toxins including a large amount of uric acid, which drives up blood pressure and causes gout.

Fructose also interferes with your brain’s communication with leptin, resulting in overeating.

Only foods labeled 100% organic can be assumed to be HFCS-free.

The USDA recommends that a person with a 2000 calorie, balanced diet should consume no more than 32 g (8 tsp) of added sugar per day. Here are some sweet foods and the percentage of the daily recommended amount of sweeteners they provide

· typical cup of fruit yogurt - 70%

· cup of regular ice cream - 60%

· 12-ounce Pepsi - 103%

· Hostess Lemon Fruit Pie - 115%

· serving of Kellogg's Marshmallow Blasted Froot Loops - 40%

· quarter-cup of pancake syrup - 103%

· Cinnabon - 123%

· large McDonald's Shake - 120%

· large Mr. Misty Slush at Dairy Queen - 280%

· Burger King's Cini-minis with icing - 95%

Avoid sodas and fast foods.

Learn to read your labels.

Make smart choices.

You hold your health in your own hand!!!