Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Bad for You?

You may have seen the ads on TV or you may have had the high fructose corn syrup conversations with your friends as we all become more health conscious and more attune with the natural and organic. The ads on TV remind you that high fructose corn syrup is natural and healthy in moderation. It's made from corn, after all.

Of course, most things are fine in moderation, but if I can help it, I like to eliminate the ones that aren't necessarily beneficial to my health. The use and consumption of high fructose corn syrup is certainly a debated topic. Let's take a look.

Cornstarch is processed to turn into glucose and processed further to turn into fructose. It then becomes a substitute for sugar as a sweetener. You can read about the science of the process by googling it further - it is a long process, involving many enzymes and chemicals. In your pantry, you're likely to find high fructose corn syrup in most things: condiments, soda, some fruit juices and most processed foods. High fructose corn syrup lengthens a product's shelf life but is also found in foods with low nutritional value to begin with.

There have been no conclusive studies proving that high fructose corn syrup is bad for you. It is processed and it does contribute to the negative health effects commonly associated with consuming processed foods, soda etc. If you are trying to eat healthy, it is easy to find products with no high fructose corn syrup. For example, look for natural fruit juices that contain 100% juice and no added sweeteners, limit your intake of soda, use honey or maple syrup as sweeteners and eat fresh produce. Going organic and cooking your meals is always a healthier alternative.

If you are concerned about the environment, keep in mind that high fructose corn syrup also has a high carbon footprint. Corn uses more fertilizers and insecticides than any other crop. Fertilizer run-off damages environments all around corn-growing areas. Further, the energy involved in growing corn and transporting it is also considerable. Because the price of corn is kept relatively low by federal subsidies, it is a thriving crop which makes the production of high fructose corn syrup large and profitable.

Yes, high fructose corn syrup is probably safe in moderation but if you take a look at the nutrition labels around your kitchen, you may find that you're not consuming it in moderation after all. It may be impossible to completely strike it off your diet, but it is not impossible to find natural alternatives to it. Though research is not conclusive on high fructose corn syrup's negative side effects, most people seem to agree that we should actively limit its intake, move on to ingredients that haven't been chemically altered and shy away from processed food. Don't fall for the "it's just corn" trap. It may not be hazardous in small quantities, but it certainly won't hurt you to avoid sodas, candy, miracle whip... you will almost always be able to find a cheap alternative that does not have high fructose corn syrup.