What is High Fructose Corn Syrup and Why is it in Our Food?

During the last recent years, there's been a huge debate concerning high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Some argue that this product is unhealthy and shouldn't be added to our food. Others say, high fructose corn syrup isn't really different than regular sugar and is safe to use. This debate can and will go no for years while the consumers continue to ingest it. Let's discover, for ourselves, what the debate is about. What is HFCS? How is it made and what are the possible side effects?

In simple terms, HFCS is a sweetener. It's added to just about all processed foods, ketchup, sodas, and juices. This process for making sweetener started approximately 40 years ago, in the 1970's. Today we consume more HFCS than sugar. It's made from corn. I know this sounds strange, corn turns into sugar? Yes, there are numerous processes that takes place for this to happen.

HFCS is made by changing cornstarch into fructose, which turns into 42% fructose and 50%-52% glucose (sugar). This product is cheaper than sugar and is a preservative. Corn is the most widely grown crop in America. HFCS is easy to transport, has a longer shelf life in foods, which makes higher profits for corporations. Now we know what HFCS is and why it's in our food. Let's discuss the health risks concerning this product.

Research has conflicting results concerning the use of HFCS. Some say HFCS isn't any less healthy than other sweeteners. I personally believe, as U.S. citizens, we should be given information on ingredients in our food. Furthermore, as consumers, given the opportunity to decide what's added to our foods.

Various studies have shown a link between HFCS and obesity. HFCS, as stated before, was introduced to food 40 years ago. Within the last 20 years, there has been a reported increase in obesity. I seriously doubt that the increase in obesity just happened within 20 years. It sounds more realistic, that prior to 20 years ago, there was some sort of unreported increase.

A team of investigators, at the USDA, lead by Dr. Meira Field, tested the difference between glucose (sugar) and fructose (ingredient in HFCS) on rats and discovered that: The male rats, given large amounts of fructose, did not develop normally. They developed anemia, high cholesterol, fatty livers, and enlarged hearts. These are signs and symptoms of obesity. This test alone shows a possible link between obesity and HFCS use. Although this was tested on rats, the public has the right to know.

Recently, studies have shown mercury contamination in HFCS. In the fall of 2008, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy analyzed 55 products containing HFCS. They found that 1 in 3 foods tested contained mercury. Mercury is a metal that damages the body's organs, if ingested. A mercury reagent is used, by manufacturers, to create corn syrup. It is used to separate corn starch from the kernel. The Corn Refiners Association claims to have not used mercury reagents to make HFCS in years. If this is true, why was mercury found in 1 in 3 food products, in 2008.

All of these questionable health risk and dangers should be addressed before U.S citizens continue to consume HFCS. As consumers, let's read ingredients before purchasing food for our families. We can force the food manufacturers to listen to us by not buying foods with ingredients that have health risk.