Jan 08 2009
High fructose corn syrup: avoid or not?
There are a handful of ingredients I try very hard to avoid. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is one of those. HFCS is a sweetening agent that is derived from corn, by going through several chemical processes. This substance is relatively easy to produce and has a sweetness that is much higher than natural sweeteners. As a result, high fructose corn syrup is an ingredient in a variety of processed foods- many of which you wouldn’t expect such as ketchup, soft drinks, cereals, and candy.
While the jury is still out on the negative health effects of high fructose corn syrup, there are data that indicate there are health issues that can arise from its consumption. Regarding the ability to lose weight (our goal here), HFCS tends to lessen the signal from your belly to your brain indicating fullness so you will end up eating more than you normally would. It may also increase insulin resistance, which makes you store fat.
Whether or not there are indeed negative health effects due to high fructose corn syrup consumption, HFCS is caloric, adding what are known as empty calories (those without nutritive value) into your diet. The more empty calories you have in your diet, the harder it will be for you to lose weight. And no, despite the ads generated by the Corn Refiner’s Association, high fructose corn syrup is not corn and, thus, not a vegetable.
Since climbing on the no-HFCS bandwagon I’ve tried to look for foods for my family that do not contain this ingredient. Most times I end up having to purchase organic ketchup- but there are more and more food manufacturer’s out there that are sensitive to the increased desire for HFCS-free foods.
TODAY’S TAKEAWAY: Avoid foods containing high fructose corn syrup
