You've probably seen the new commercial that implies that High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is no worse for you than sugar. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth! The number one source of calories in the US is high fructose corn syrup.....mostly from soda consumption. Just because the character in the commercial has heard that HFCS is bad for your health but doesn't know why does not mean that HFCS gets a clean bill of health. It's all part of a major marketing campaign from the Corn Refiners Association. So let's not be as clueless as the woman in the commercial. The following are reasons that HFCS is an unhealthy choice:
Refined man-made fructose like HFCS metabolizes to triglycerides and adipose tissue, not blood glucose. Because of this fact, insulin secretion is not stimulated. Whereas consumption of sugar (glucose) causes a release of insulin to help the body use and store the glucose, your body is left wondering what to do with this foreign substance (HFCS). Also, leptin is not produced when HFCS is consumed. (Leptin is a hormone thought to be involved in appetite regulation.) Since this regulation does not exist, dietary fructose may contribute to increased food intake and weight gain.
Fructose is also known to significantly raise your triglyceride levels and your LDL or bad cholesterol levels. Elevated blood levels of triglycerides and LDL puts you at an increased risk of heart disease.
Soft drinks sweetened with HFCS may contribute to the development of diabetes because it contains high levels of reactive compounds that have been shown to trigger cell and tissue damage that cause diabetes.
HFCS is almost always made from genetically modified corn, which is associated with its own well documented side effects and health concerns, such as increasing your risk of developing a food allergy to corn.
So now you know. And the next time someone tells you that HFCS is not a problem, you can set them straight. Again, as with anything else, a little HFCS in your diet will not cause any major problems. But remember that HFCS is very widely used and it is the cumulative effect that should be considered. In fact, when you start to read labels, you will realize how pervasive this sweetener is. And to say "it's everywhere!" is not an exaggeration.
Original source: http://liquidmind.wordpress.com/?p=315
