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If you are a diabetic, you will want to read this ecover as there are many dangers of certain sugars that can affect your blood pressure and cause you to have a heart attack. Do not ignore this information, because if you do not follow the directions on the back of the pack, you could end up with damage to your body. The dangers of sugar can range from dizziness, confusion, weight gain, and in some extreme cases, death. There are many different types of sugar, so it is important that you learn about each type so you can keep track of what you are consuming.
One of the first types of sugar that you will want to learn about are the ones that you find in junk foods, energy drinks, pies, syrups, candies, and juices. All of these types of products are packed full of preservatives and artificial flavoring, and in some cases they are even made with high fructose corn syrup.1 This stuff will wreak havoc on your blood sugar and can be very dangerous. There is no way you can go on eating those types of foods without suffering horrible consequences. There is a good chance that you will either gain weight, or your body will break down under the strain.
The second danger of sugar is found in the packaging and on the back labels of most products. Most people do not realize that there is a name for the product, and they will not know what it is or what effect it will have until it has already reached their stomach. There is a good chance that they will consume more than the package suggests, and since they do not think about the dangers of what they are consuming, they will often consume more than they need. If you find infographics or social posters about sugar dangers, you may want to share them with your friends, and always keep an eye out for new products that come out with the dangers of sugar constantly changing.
What is High Fructose Corn Sugar?
Short for fructose corn syrup, High Fructose Corn Sugar is an artificial sweetener manufactured from corn syrup and glucose, which is made by the breaking down of fructose corn sugar with heat under high heat and pressure. As in the case of regular corn syrup, high-fructose corn sugar is broken down into simple glucose by various enzymes during the process of dehydration. Although this sugar is still regarded as fairly safe for consumption, recent studies have linked high fructose corn sugar to various health problems. High Fructose Corn Syrup or HFCS as it is commonly referred to, was first introduced to the market in around 1970. In fact, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are more than twenty thousand million pounds of this sugar being used every year.2
The reason why this substance is often misidentified as a food product is because of its naturally high fructose level; the sweetness is added to it during the dehydration process. The main purpose of HFCS is to replace regular sugar because it is cheaper than sucrose, yet it is almost identical in taste.3 Due to its unique characteristics, HFCS is a popular ingredient in many processed and commercial food products. HFCS is often used as a sugar substitute in foods and drinks such as instant smoothies, energy drinks, diabetic drinks, diet sodas, sports drinks, baby formula, some foods for small amounts of carbohydrates, some fruits, vegetables, and rice.
One of the health problems that has been linked to HFCS is obesity. According to research, obesity has been attributed to the consumption of high-fructose corn syrup in various forms.4 However, further investigations are needed to validate these claims. In the meantime, it is best to avoid HFCS completely and eat more healthy alternatives that provide more dietary fiber and minerals, such as natural sweeteners.
Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Good For You?
Are you asking the question “Is high fructose corn syrup good for you?” If you are like many people, you probably are. It’s found in almost everything, from soft drinks to fast food, to the candy that’s in store. High fructose corn syrup is very cheap to buy, and is often used as a sweetener in processed foods. It is more affordable than sugar and is even in nearly every processed food and soda these days.
However, you may be asking yourself why you should put something that is processed and full of sugar into your body, when you are trying to make wise food choices. When you consume food, whether it is processed or natural, you are consuming sugar – and while it may not be bad for you directly, it certainly isn’t healthy. In America today, we are seemingly eating large doses of glucose every day, including high fructose corn syrup! That’s just not fair.
In addition to eating processed and fast food, we are drinking soda, most of which has high fructose corn syrup in it, as well as regular table sugar. Excessive amounts of these unnatural sugars is known to cause obesity, and related health problems.5 There are many different types of weight loss programs, but without a healthy diet full of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and proteins, none of them will be effective. The best diets promote not only weight loss but healthy and gradual weight loss. Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains provide the necessary nutrition and are very low in calories and carbs, which means that less insulin is released to control blood glucose.
Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup
The disadvantages of high fructose corn syrup are many. High amounts of fructose were once added to soft drinks and other foods. When these products became popular, the people who consumed them often complained about the bad taste and felt overwhelmed by the high amount of sugar in the drink. While there are a number of disadvantages of high fructose corn syrup such as it being bad for your health, the syrup is still widely consumed in the United States. There are alternatives though, and they include fruits, vegetables, and even sugar substitutes.
High fructose corn syrup can have several disadvantages to it depending on the person consuming it. One of the disadvantages of HFCS is that it raises your blood pressure. If you suffer from high blood pressure or have high blood sugar and need to stay regular, you should avoid any and all products containing HFCS or any other form of high fructose corn syrup. It will only compound the problem. Therefore, to avoid raising your blood pressure you should limit your intake of sugary beverages such as soft drinks, diet sodas, and anything else with high fructose corn syrup in them.
Another of the dangers of high fructose corn syrup is that it depletes the body of calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Because it has a high amount of sugar, it also takes away the body’s ability to absorb the vitamins necessary to maintain healthy teeth and bones. Another disadvantage of HFCS is that it depletes the body of magnesium and phosphorus which are needed to perform metabolic functions such as releasing energy. Low levels of these minerals in the body can cause weakness and fatigue.
In addition to raising your blood pressure, high fructose corn syrup can increase your risk factors for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. This is because it increases insulin levels and lowers the absorption of other nutrients into the body. These risks factors are due to the fact that increased amounts of glucose in the bloodstream leads to a decline in the muscle cells ability to use glucose for energy.6
The final area that is affected by high amounts of glucose is that of type 2 diabetes. High amounts of fructose consumption has been proven to be a contributing factor to type 2 diabetes. The reason that it has been proven to be a cause of type 2 diabetes is due to the damage that it does to the intestinal lining.7 When consumed in excess, glucose is quickly converted to glycogen, which is the source of energy for the muscles. However, when the muscles are depleted glycogen is not stored. This causes an imbalance that results in the pancreas not producing enough insulin to deal with the excess glucose.8
Excess sugar in the bloodstream is the number one cause of damage to the intestinal lining. A healthy diet and lifestyle can help to prevent this problem however. Eating foods that contain low levels of simple sugars such as fruit, vegetables, and whole grains helps to maintain healthy intestinal function. Fructose corn syrup should be avoided due to its high level of simple sugars.
Image Credits
Bakery and Snacks / Google Stock Images
Food Revolution Network / Google Stock Images
Gym Beam / Google Stock Images
CenterSpring MD / Google Stock Images
1 “High-fructose corn syrup: Any health concerns? – Mayo Clinic.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/high-fructose-corn-syrup/faq-20058201 Accessed 1 Sep. 2021.
2 “High-fructose corn syrup: Any health concerns? – Mayo Clinic.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/high-fructose-corn-syrup/faq-20058201 Accessed 1 Sep. 2021.
3 “dehydration | Definition, Food Preservation, & Methods | Britannica.” https://www.britannica.com/topic/dehydration-food-preservation Accessed 1 Sep. 2021.
4 “Obesity – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 18 Nov. 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742 Accessed 1 Sep. 2021.
5 “Processed Foods Whats OK and What to Avoid – Academy of ….” 11 Feb. 2019, https://www.eatright.org/food/nutrition/nutrition-facts-and-food-labels/processed-foods-whats-ok-and-what-to-avoid Accessed 1 Sep. 2021.
6 “Type 2 diabetes – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 20 Jan. 2021, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193 Accessed 1 Sep. 2021.
7 “Life doesn’t end with type 2 diabetes..” https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/type-2 Accessed 1 Sep. 2021.
8 “Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis – WebMD.” 6 Dec. 2020, https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-2-diabetes Accessed 1 Sep. 2021.
