DANGER: High Fructose Corn Syrup

The consumption of High Fructose Corn Syrup has increased 10,673% in the past 35 years.

High Fructose Corn Syrup is almost all made from genetically modified corn which has its own health problem side-effects. Genetically modified corn increases the risk of developing corn allergies - even to healthful organically grown corn. Food and drink manufacturers switched to HFCS in the early 70s because it is cheap and much sweeter, 20 times sweeter. Four companies control 85% of the $2.6 billion business - Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, Staley Mfg and CPC International. 16 plants in our corn belt manufacture the stuff, huge vats of murky fermenting liquid, fungus and chemical tweaking.

The number one source of calories in America is from HFCS in soda pop. Studies have shown these high calorie drinks are causing Americans to gain large amounts of body fat. One study eliminated HFCS drinks and the subjects lost weight. No other diet item eliminated made ANY difference. 35 years ago, American soda’s were made with sugar, just like Mexican Coke is today. 35 years ago our obesity problem began growing out of control.

Consumption of HFCS is not only making us fat, it also damages organs like the liver and pancreas, leads to bone loss, anemia and heart problems. Diabetes has increased 90% in the past ten years. High blood sugar now affects one in four of us. HFCS is not just used to sweeten pop, it’s now used in punch, fruit juices, processed pre-packaged foods (which account for 90% of the dollars we spend on meals). It is also now found in cereals, salad dressings, cheese spreads, yogurt, jam, peanut butter, crackers, ketchup and ice cream, to name a few. Most people get MOST of their calories now from HFCS, mostly from soft drinks. Drinking only one soda a day adds up to 15 pounds a year.

HFCS creates insulin resistance. Low insulin levels are a co-generator of most diseases, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis and premature aging. The liver does not process HFCS like ordinary sugars. Most fats are made in the liver. When sugar enters the liver it can store it, burn it or turn it into body fat. HFCS bypasses this process and goes directly to fat. There is strong evidence indicating that HFCS does not become blood glucose. Consumption of the stuff leads to decreased signals to our central nervous system from leptin and insulin. Leptin and insulin help regulate how much food we eat. Without healthful levels, we increase food intake and of course, get fatter.

HFCS contains high levels of reactive compounds that trigger cell damage. Natural sugar does not contain reactive compounds. Triglycerides, the chemical form of fat found in foods and in our bodies increases dramatically when we eat or drink HFCS. Bad cholesterol increases as well. This increases the risk of heart disease. HFCS can interfere with the heart’s use of minerals like magnesium, copper and chromium. HFCS does not contain any enzymes, vitamins or minerals. It actually leaches nutrients from the body. A study with two groups of rats, one given large amounts of sugar, the other large amounts of HFCS turned out badly for the one group. The high sugar group was unaffected. The HFCS group male rats did not survive to adulthood, suffering from anemia and high cholesterol, their hearts enlarging until they actually exploded. Their testicles also did not develop normally which was the least of their problems. The females were not so physically affected but none could bear live young. The livers of the rats on the HFCS diet looked like the livers of alcoholics.

Don’t get confused about “fructose.” Fruit contains natural fructose. Fruit also contains minerals and vitamins. Eat a wide variety of fruits, especially berries. They are loaded with antioxidants.

Soloflex owns the trademark on the slogan “Exercise and Eat Right.” Part of our due diligence is to inform our customers about both. Start reading the labels on pre-packaged foods and drinks. If they contain HFCS don’t buy them and complain to your grocer. You needn’t be polite about it either. This is serious stuff.