HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS)

There are not many commercials I find personally offensive (okay, the drug ads with their laundry list of “side effects” do cause me to throw shoes at my TV).  Now, the recent ad campaign promoting the apparent benign nature of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) has really got me fired up.  I recognize that all too often the popular opinion can be wrongfully swayed by urban legend status sound bites around health and wellness.  Usually these well intentioned warnings are equal parts data and dogma.  The resulting debates are then typically a healthy push-back that tends to drive a natural correction towards a more accurate understanding.  Such is not the case with HFCS and its pundit’s recent infomercial campaign.

The truth of the matter is that High Fructose Corn Syrup is devastatingly unhealthy.  It plays the starring role in a broad cast of offensive players in the blockbuster drama that is our nation health crisis.  Although it may not technically deserve to be vilified above all other sweeteners, it does find itself in the crosshairs of this post due to its pervasiveness and dominant role in today’s obesity pandemic.

Here is a short list of reasons that you should never put HFCS in your body:

1. Yes, it is derived from corn, but so are nachos, grain alcohol and ethanol.  That doesn’t mean that you should drink it.  Besides, corn is a grain and is high in Omega 6 Fatty Acids and gluten.  Elevated levels of  Omega 6 FA’s are at root of chronic low grade inflammation which leads to heart disease, autoimmune disorders and cancer.

2. Mercury is commonly used in the production of HFCS as a preservative.  Mercury is an incredibly potent neurotoxin. It is used to enhance the shelf-life of food products; while simultaneously reducing the shelf-life of the people that consume these products.  (R Dufault, et.al. Mercury from chlor-alkali plants: Measured concentrations in food product sugar; Environmental Health; Jan 26, 2009; 8:2)

3. HFCS is a nutrient-devoid source of calories.  In other words, you get calories without getting any nutrients.  It is a classic example of a toxic and deficient food. But calling it food is far too complementary.

4. HFCS is 50% Fructose.  This sugar bypasses the satiety mechanism regulated by the hormone Leptin.  This means that you get empty calories (no nutrition) without getting satiated (feeling full or satisfied).  But wait, it gets better. Most foods that contain HFCS are usually also high in Caffeine and Sodium (salt).  Take soda for instance: not only is it loaded with HFCS, but the caffeine dehydrates you and the salt compounds the thirst response. So you drink more soda….

5. Liquid HFCS (soda, fruit juices, energy drinks) has been shown to convert readily to triglycerides which are then stored in the Greater Omentum – read: your belly.  The phenomenon known as “belly fat” is fueled by this fat storage mechanism.  The “beer belly” or “stress gut” is supported largely by this efficient sugar delivery system. (If you are thinking “Well I’ll just drink diet soda, then”; you’d better read this first.)

This wouldn’t be so frustrating if it were not for the fact that a huge portion of our national subsidies (our tax money) is spent subsidizing corn that is ear-marked specifically for HFCS.  Sweeteners like HFCS have been clearly held liable for playing a dominant role in our national obesity, diabetes and related metabolic disorders.  This, in turn, will create an even greater tax burden in the healthcare column.  At risk of sounding like a heretic, this certainly appears to be a perfect closed system.

You can make better choices and enjoy a better life.  May I suggest starting with addition?  Drink more water.  If you get bored with water, drink pomegranate juice, concord grape juice or black cherry juice.  I know that you’re hoping that I’m going to give you the green light on red wine for its heralded anti-oxidant value lent by reversitol.  But every time that I do that, I feel like I could also tell you to drink more Coors because it’s loaded with pure mountain spring water.  I like what Mark Twain said, “People love to hear good things about their bad habits.”  Cheers.