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meccahiI have to make a quick diatribe here.
The new commercials about High Fructose Corn Syrup just about make me physically ill. They actually upset me to the point of wanting to throw things.
"It's just corn!"
Yes. Corn. Corn that has been processed to the point that it is unrecognizable. Corn that has been turned into a glucose/fructose nightmare that our bodies don't process normally.
And their little quip about " use in moderation?".
Just about every package of processed food contains High Fructose Corn Syrup. From soda, to jellies and jam, to pretzels.. if it needs any sort of cheap sweetener, then it's there. And that's the entire reason it's being used. It's cheap.
There's been innumerable studies that show that HFCS is one of the dominant factors in obesity in the United States (although eating processed foods and not getting off the couch to exercise is a major factor as well). The United Kingdom has banned it from their markets, and from what I've been reading it looks like all of Europe may follow suit.
Just..Ugh! I could regurgitate facts but, I don't think I need to. The linked articles have some interesting information on it. All of this is still in contention to traditional science. But the more it is researched, the more questions seem to arise.
I've been avoiding HFCS for awhile, but I think back to my childhood , teen years, and even into my 20's where I consumed processed foods on a daily basis and without a thought. And then I think about my weight struggles now.
Anyways. Grrrrr. Mini rant done. These articles were extremely interesting, and had some good information on the subject.
yanswersblog.com/index.php/archives/2008/11/07/high-fructose-corn-syrup-have-you-soured-on-this-sweetener/
blog.wellnesstips.ca/blog/index.php/
www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html
wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_high_fructose_corn_syrup_bad_for_you
I think I'm becoming more of a health freak than I ever meant to.
The new commercials about High Fructose Corn Syrup just about make me physically ill. They actually upset me to the point of wanting to throw things.
"It's just corn!"
Yes. Corn. Corn that has been processed to the point that it is unrecognizable. Corn that has been turned into a glucose/fructose nightmare that our bodies don't process normally.
And their little quip about " use in moderation?".
Just about every package of processed food contains High Fructose Corn Syrup. From soda, to jellies and jam, to pretzels.. if it needs any sort of cheap sweetener, then it's there. And that's the entire reason it's being used. It's cheap.
There's been innumerable studies that show that HFCS is one of the dominant factors in obesity in the United States (although eating processed foods and not getting off the couch to exercise is a major factor as well). The United Kingdom has banned it from their markets, and from what I've been reading it looks like all of Europe may follow suit.
Just..Ugh! I could regurgitate facts but, I don't think I need to. The linked articles have some interesting information on it. All of this is still in contention to traditional science. But the more it is researched, the more questions seem to arise.
I've been avoiding HFCS for awhile, but I think back to my childhood , teen years, and even into my 20's where I consumed processed foods on a daily basis and without a thought. And then I think about my weight struggles now.
Anyways. Grrrrr. Mini rant done. These articles were extremely interesting, and had some good information on the subject.
yanswersblog.com/index.php/archives/2008/11/07/high-fructose-corn-syrup-have-you-soured-on-this-sweetener/
blog.wellnesstips.ca/blog/index.php/
www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html
wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_high_fructose_corn_syrup_bad_for_you
I think I'm becoming more of a health freak than I ever meant to.
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Date: 2009-01-13 09:27 am (UTC)"Several recent studies have shown that fructose is processed differently in the body than the far more common sugar, glucose (3,4). Glucose causes the pancreas to release insulin which drives sugar from the bloodstream into cells. Glucose causes fat cells to release leptin that makes you feel full so you eat less. Glucose prevents the stomach from releasing ghrelin that makes you hungry. On the other hand, fructose does not cause fat cells to release leptin and does not suppress ghrelin. This means that fructose increases hunger to make you eat more. Furthermore, the liver converts fructose far more readily to a body fat called triglyceride, than it does with glucose. High triglyceride levels raise blood levels of the bad LDL cholesterol and lower blood levels of the good HDL cholesterol, which increases heart attack risk. (http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/3021.html)"
This was just one of many medical articles that I've come across in my reading.
As far as Genetically Modified Food... I am of two opinions.
The fact that food can be grown in areas that would otherwise not be sustainable is appealing. An end to world hunger is an amazing goal.
The flip side however is that there is more evidence that crops like genetically modified corn DO have adverse health effects. A study done by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, in 2008 found that mice fed a 33% diet of GM corn had reduced fertility, and lower birth weights than those fed non modified corn. While this is only in mice, the implications are troubling.
The other issue that I have with GM food is that there is little to prevent the pollen from the crops cross pollinating with heritage crops. This has already been an issue in Mexico where they're trying to preserve their native Maize.
The third is that a study done by Cornell University shows that GM corn ( as an example) has been shown to kill insects such as Monarch butterflies. Its pollen was modified so that it could repel corn borers, and other unwanted pests. But when that pollen blows, it lands on other plants such as the Milkweed, which Monarch caterpillars feed on.
There are too many variables that we're unaware of yet. I just can't blindly trust that something that has been modified from its original evolved state, is going to be better for me, or not have adverse side effects. I honestly don't think that enough time has passed for us to understand the long term effects.
I don't think that GM food, or HFCS is the Devil, but I think it's possible they may be related. I'm a huge proponent of science, but I'm more a proponent of responsible science.
As far as Monsanto? They are, indeed, the Devil. I think he visits them often for legal advice.
Oh yeah.. and air being the most destructive substance? Follow that up with water. I'm well aware of the toxins and carcinogens that are present in both our oxygen and our water supply. The heavy metal contaminants alone are disturbing.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-13 02:18 pm (UTC)You brought up the biochemistry of fructose in the body. I should have been a bit more specific in what I was saying. Given the information you presented, we did say the same thing about HCFS. As for the increased hunger aspect of it, that is something I was honestly not aware of, and will do some more research on the issue.
Though it brings up an interesting point. Assuming that the research is accurate, larger sizes of soda served in fast food chains make more sense. It drives sales. Also, disturbing in that regard the foods most commonly containing the most HCFS, soda and candy...does a snickers really satisfy ;)
I am in agreement with you regarding the examples you gave with GM.
My viewpoint on GM crops is alot like my view of the first amendment...you can say/do whatever you want until it causes harm to another entity.
The crops with killer pollen etc are pretty shady. The crops that are designed to have better yields, longer shelf lives, or more natural defenses from parasites are the ones I support and encourage. I go back to one of the tomato examples that was developed by Delmonte, the tomato skin was modified to produce more of the waxy coating, but it also contained capsaicin.
I also have to apologize for getting a bit crazed. I have mroe than a few friends that go running intot he deep end of the pool without looking at the facts, and often I have to hit them with a stick to get their attention. You did your homework, and as you said look to responsible science. That said, sorry if I came across almost militant.