High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a highly refined sweetener that is everywhere in the American diet since it is in almost all processed foods. It is used by companies because it’s cheap and extends the shelf life. The health hazard is that when ingested, it appears that HFCS is turned into fat, not directly used for energy like other sugars. Although there has been mixed research pointing to the dangers of HFCS, new research done at Princeton University and published in Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20219526) clearly demonstrates that HFCS leads to obesity. And where there is obesity, often there is diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, and even cancer.

HFCS is found in processed foods, like soda, crackers, cookies, ketchup, yogurt, cereal, granola bars, and even “diet foods” that are in the “regular” grocery stores.  To avoid HFCS, avoid processed foods!  Read labels and purchase boxed and jarred foods from the health food store. Generally these items will use a more natural sugar, if sugar is needed at all.

 


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