Living a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy these days. Reading all the labels at the grocery store in order to restrict dangerous substances—whether it’s artificial preservatives or alternative sweeteners— from your body could take hours. You need to know that what you’re eating is the best for you.
One ingredient you’ll see repeatedly is high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). It’s an ingredient that was developed as an artificial sweetener made from corn syrup. It might have a delicious taste, but it might not be all that good for you. This guide will tell you why high-fructose corn syrup is bad for you.
5 Reasons Why High-Fructose Corn Syrup Is Bad for You
The fructose in HFCS can cause health issues if you consume it in excessive amounts. Before table sugar and HFCS, people’s diets included only a small amount of fructose from natural sources such as fruits and vegetables. The adverse effects listed below are mostly caused by an excess of fructose:
- Fatty Liver: HFCS can contribute to increased occurrences of fatty liver. This is because the body metabolizes fructose differently than other carbs. Liver fat accumulation can lead to serious health problems such as fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Obesity: Research continues to corroborate the role of fructose in obesity. HFCS can also add visceral fat, a harmful type of fat that surrounds your organs.
- Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome: Excessive intake of HFCS can lead to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, which are both key contributors to type 2 diabetes. Regularly consuming excess fructose can make your body resistant to insulin’s effects. This decreases the body’s ability to control blood sugar levels.
- Increased Risk of Disease: Excessive HFCS intake is linked to an increased risk of numerous diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
- Lack of Nutrients: Like other sugars, HFCS contains “empty” calories and offers no essential nutrients. Consuming HFCS will decrease the total nutrients in your diet, and you’ll have less room for nutrient-dense foods.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup Alternatives
There are many substitutes for HFCS, but one of the best is honey. Honey contains antioxidants that contribute to anti-aging factors. And, unlike HCFS or sugar, honey contains beneficial acids, nutrients, and phytonutrients. It’s also antibacterial, so it can help in wound healing, and it can also assist with digestive discomfort and sore throats.
Other substitutes include agave nectar, brown rice syrup, golden syrup, and cane syrup. It’s important to know why high-fructose corn syrup is bad for you so that you can be your best self and live in the body you want.
