Knock Out Childhood Obesity by Ditching High Fructose Corn Syrup

Is High Fructose Corn Syrup dangerous?The ingredient itself isn’t any worse than regular sugar. Seriously, it’s not any more harmful than honey, granulated sugar or corn syrup. However, its effect on the human body is where the true problem lies.The Truth About High Fructose Corn SyrupIt all starts off with corn starch being converted to glucose, an important sugar molecule that supplies energy to the brain and body cells. Some of the glucose is converted into fructose, or fruit sugar. Hence, high-fructose corn syrup is created because of its cheap production and used to replace the regular sucrose (table sugar) in most food items due to it being sweeter.Here’s the catch: HFCS doesn’t activate the insulin necessary to provide the brain signals that tell our bodies when we’re satisfied. What’s worse is that consuming fructose causes the blood sugar to rise, starting a resistance reaction to insulin, the hormone that transports glucose throughout the body.From what was just said, HFCS can lead to childhood obesity because of its effect on appetite and the excessive calories. Insulin and leptin (a body fat hormone that reduces food intake and decreases body weight and body fat) both prevent hunger, but since fructose keeps insulin from appearing, an imbalance in the body occurs and it takes more food and beverages to satisfy the hunger, leading to overconsumption of calories.Fructose Comes From Fruit, Right?You’re probably wondering, “Does this mean the fructose from fruit is bad for you?” Of course not. More than anything, you should eat as much fruit as possible. They’re nutrient-dense, which means that you can eat more of it without having to worry about overeating them. This doesn’t mean you should go wild on the fruit juices, though. Unless it’s 100% juice with no added sugars, they’re probably more artificial syrup than actual fruit.A Squeeze PlayWant a great example? How about SunnyD? Despite it claiming to be 100% Vitamin C, you’ll find there’s an extreme lack of actual fruit? In fact, it says in its Nutritional Facts that it only contains 5% juice. In its Ingredients list, guess what? High Fructose Corn Syrup is number two on its list right under water. It even states on the list that it contains only 2% or less of everything else. Now would you give something like this to your child knowing full well that a bottle of HFCS and water isn’t going to satisfy their appetite? Thought not. If you really want to give them juice, try Minute Maid or Honest Kids. They’re more reliable than the “juice drinks” or “juice blends” out there.The Bottom LineHigh Fructose Corn Syrup might not be leaving the Ingredients list any time soon. After all, food manufacturers aren’t willing to give up something so cheap for the consumer’s benefit. Even if they do, they’ll most likely replace it with the regular types of sugar. Be aware of what you’re feeding yourself and your kids.Try to eliminate (or gradually decrease) not just HFCS, but any type of added sugar to your diet. They’re only empty calories with no nutritional benefits. In order to keep childhood obesity from becoming an exponential problem, it’s up to you to arm yourself (and your posterity) with the nutritional knowledge necessary to keep your family from damaging your good health. After all, you want to at least live long enough to see your grandchildren, right?