corn sugar

[graceface66]

I came across this article and thought it was interesting:

How do you like the sound of the name corn sugar?

The mega-producers of this processed sweetener think you’ll like that name better than high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the biggest moneymaker in the history of the food industry. But a less scientific name isn’t going to transform it into something you’d want to put in your body.

The Corn Refiners Association petitioned for this name change to “avoid confusion” about what HFCS is. They claim it’s “essentially the same as table sugar.”

Well, I’ll admit table sugar and HFCS have about the same number of calories, but that’s where the similarities end.

In fact, since the introduction of HFCS in the late 1970s, obesity rates have increased from 13.3% to 30.9%. And a study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports the rise in diabetes since 1980 is almost parallel to the increase in use of HFCS.

At the University of California, they did a study where one group ate high volumes of HFCS and another group was given high volumes of regular sugar. After 10 weeks, the HFCS group had new fat cells surrounding their vital organs, while the table sugar group had no additional fat cells.

Princeton University also studied HFCS and table sugar. HFCS not only caused an increase in abdominal fat compared to table sugar, but it also resulted in a higher percentage of weight gain.

You probably already know that most artificially sweetened drinks and even condiments like ketchup and relish have HFCS. But what you may not know is that manufacturers put HFCS in foods you might never imagine sweetening, like processed meats and even many pre-packaged breads.

If you feel like something sweet, opt for natural, native foods like:

•  Fruits and berries – Berries, pears, apples, mangos and oranges are my favorites, and they’re also a major source of fiber (with the skins on). Considering how sweet and tasty berries are, they also have a surprisingly low glycemic index.
•  Organic honey – I get mine from an organic farmer who lives down the road.
•  Maple syrup – I always get 100% pure, organic, grade B maple syrup. This is the good stuff!

Instead of falling prey to the marketing schemes of the food industry, get your sweet fix naturally!

To your good health,

Dr. Al Sears
Contributing Editor
New England Health Advisory

P.S. Click here to read New England Health Advisory’s article on the glycemic index.