In February 2023, CBS reported more than 10,000 chemical additives in America's food supply. This statistic is reported through other organizations and sources, including EWG and Children Now. Sadly, it is hard to navigate the shelves of our grocery stores and find food products with no chemical additives. From flavorings, preservatives, antioxidants, thickeners, and food colorings to synthetic vitamins and minerals, the foods we buy to nourish us and satisfy our hunger are riddled with chemical additives.
One of the most widely used additives in the American food supply is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The justification for its excessive usage is that it is easy to make and cheaper than sucrose and packs a more powerful sweetness punch to the products containing it. The FDA maintains a lack of awareness of this additive being less safe than natural sweeteners, such as honey or sucrose. However, the aim of making Americans healthy again must be reached by researching the dangers of these food additives, regardless of what the FDA or any agency or organization proclaims.
High fructose corn syrup was created in 1957 by two chemists, Earl R Kooi and Richard O Marshall. It was then patented in 1960 by the Corn Products Refining Co. Today, it's second only to sucrose as a sweetener in numerous food products. It is so widely used today that two common types of high fructose corn syrup are utilized in our foods. HFCS 42 contains 42% fructose and is used in processed foods, baked goods, cereals, and drinks. HFCS 55 contains 55% fructose and is predominantly used in sodas.
HFCS is made in a laboratory and is derived from cornstarch, which is then converted to glucose and then further converted to fructose. While both fructose and glucose are components of HFCS, and both are found in natural foods, it must be understood that they are chemically created.
Fructose and glucose are both naturally occurring forms of sugar. Honey, fruits, and vegetables are natural sources of fructose, which is classified as a monosaccharide. Glucose, on the other hand, is classified as both a monosaccharide and a disaccharide, depending on the source. Some fruits, vegetables, honey, table sugar, and sugar cane contain glucose as a disaccharide.
Sugar in any of its natural forms, when consumed in high amounts, can lead to many health conditions, including weight gain, acne and skin aging, and diabetes, among other conditions and diseases. There is also a link between increased consumption of foods sweetened with fructose and obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. While that is true of natural sugars, high fructose corn syrup is included in so many of the foods on our grocery store shelves that, depending on the individual's diet, there is a greater risk of developing any of those adverse health conditions or diseases. In addition to any of those problems linked to a diet that is too high in naturally sourced fructose, the fact that HFCS is chemically created creates a more significant health concern.
While the FDA takes the stance that HFCS is not more harmful to the human body than natural forms of sugar, it can lead to many unwanted side effects and health conditions. It may trigger non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can, in turn, lead to liver inflammation and damage and possibly progress to liver failure or cancer, depending on how much consumption of HFCS there has been. HFCS can also lead to weight gain and possible heart disease, as well as an abnormal level of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. One of the main factors leading to weight gain in people who have a diet that is loaded with HFCS is that it "increases the appetite and promotes obesity" more than foods sweetened with regular sugar, according to Dr. Hyman at the Cleveland Clinic:
"Studies show that high fructose corn syrup increases your appetite and promotes obesity more than regular sugar. "High fructose corn syrup also contributes to diabetes, inflammation, high triglycerides, and something we call non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Adding that it increases all the fat in the liver, which now affects over 90 million Americans."
HFCS can also contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Consuming beverages sweetened with HFCS can decrease insulin sensitivity, which is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. The development of type 2 diabetes can then lead to other health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney problems, and miscarriage, to name a few.
HFCS has many adverse side effects; however, the food industry claims there are benefits when high fructose corn syrup is used in its products. According to Indiana Sugars, HFCS is inexpensive to make. It is easy to use, has a consistent taste, and has a longer shelf life. As stated on Indiana Sugars ' website page, those may be actual benefits to the food industry. Still, those benefits are chosen as justifications for using HFCS, disregarding public health concerns.
Decreasing the risk of health conditions and disease, as well as decreasing the rate of obesity among Americans, must be a top priority for all those responsible for any additive used in the production of food products on the shelves of our grocery stores. There are many healthy alternatives to sweeten our food supply, and the goal of the food industry should be to manufacture the most nutritious products with all of the ingredients they choose, even with sweeteners. Honey, maple syrup, stevia, and molasses are a few of those natural sources of sweeteners that can be substituted for HFCS or regular refined sugar. Different syrups, including brown rice syrup, agave, and tapioca syrup, may also be used. Date sugar is also an excellent substitute for HFCS because it is packed with nutrients that support cardiovascular health and bone strength. Date sugar can also be easily made.
From a health perspective, sugar and natural sweeteners should be used in moderation in any food product or drink. Honey, maple syrup, and other natural sweeteners give foods the sweetness they need and a unique and full-bodied flavor. The biggest bonus is that they are sourced from nature. According to "experts," HFCS is the same as table sugar and can be safe when used in moderation. While the food industry claims the benefits of using high fructose corn syrup, those benefits mainly deal with ease of use to the food industry and because they are cheaper to use.
The best way to approach shopping and choosing the best food for us and our families is to read food labels to determine the ingredients and additives in food products. A diet rich in whole foods seasoned with natural flavorings that have few or no additives gives our bodies the fuel and nutrients they need to be healthy. Only then can we Make America Healthy Again, and all of us can live our lives to our fullest potential.
