Tuesday, June 20, 2006

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) - Natural?

Have you seen the new 7Up advertisements that made the implausible claim that the reformulated soft drink is now "100 percent natural." Looks to me like the upside down uncola is trying to turn things on their head again. But 100% natural?? The first thing that comes to mind: Yeah, sure.

Already, a little bit of the steam was taken out of 7Up's "natural" claims with the news that the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is planning to file a lawsuit accusing Cadbury Schweppes, who owns 7Up, of deceptive advertising.

Sure, the new 7Up formula contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives, but it does contain high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). And calling anything with HFCS in it "100 percent natural" is like calling checkers, chess.

In a statement issued by CSPI, Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson made this case against calling HFCS natural:

"High-fructose corn syrup isn't something you could cook up from a bushel of corn in your kitchen, unless you happen to be equipped with centrifuges, hydroclones, ion-exchange columns and buckets of enzymes." Studies have shown that high fructose corn syrup is far from healthy.

In early 2004, a review of fructose nutritional data was conducted by the Department of Nutrition at the University of California, Davis (UCD). In animal studies, the UCD team found plenty of problems associated with HFCS, including insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and elevated levels of triglycerides. And although data for humans is not as conclusive, the researchers report that a high intake of fructose may increase body weight and encourage insulin resistance, both of which are risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

Allan Spreen, M.D., has also pointed out another problem with HFCS: the browning reaction. Dr. Spreen explained: "The browning reaction occurs when certain carb molecules bind with proteins and cause aging. It's also called 'glycation', 'glycosylation', and sometimes the Maillard reaction. It changes the structure of enzymes and other proteins, resulting in tissue and organ damage (and it's suspected in organ damage particularly in diabetics)."

According to the Weston A. Price Foundation, the browning reaction occurs with any sugar, but with fructose it happens seven times faster than it does with glucose.

Somehow, this just doesn't sound natural to me! Purified, ice-water with a slice of lemon (or a couple drops of lemon essential oil) will be a lot healthier, more refreshing and will satisfy your thirst, rather than stimulating it.


Natural Wellness Solutions