Dangers Of High Fructose Corn Syrup

The sweetener that most people use as taste-enhancer comes from different substances and sources. The most widely known sucrose is processed from sugar cane or sugar beets.

In some countries, particularly the United States, sugar can be derived from corn, which is processed to produce different kinds of sweetener. Fructose, dextrine, dextrose, glucose, fructose, corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup are sweeteners derived from the commonly grown grass crop. The high fructose corn syrup is perhaps the most known kind of sweetener from processed corn since 1970's. Because it is less expensive than sucrose, it is the popular ingredient in many soft drinks. Other processed food and beverages also contain this kind of sweetener.

Nutritionist experts and other medical scientists have warned about overindulgence of sugar in the human diet. Aside from being the leading cause of tooth decay, over consumption of starchy foods and sweets can lead to obesity and, perhaps the worst, type-2 diabetes mellitus and heart complications.

High fructose corn syrup, which is now commonly used as ingredient in different processed foods and beverages, has been a headline recently in health news. This kind of sweetener is being found out to have several health risks.

High fructose corn syrup has been processed to have 55% fructose and 45% glucose compared to sucrose, which has 50:50 of fructose and sucrose. The abundance of fructose and in the body has been associated with many undesirable effects. Glucose, though needed in the body, may also have adverse effects if the level of the substance is too much for the body's metabolism mechanism to handle.

Fructose is estimated to be two times sweeter than sucrose. Previous studies have shown that this substance is recommended for people with hypoglycemia or diabetes mellitus. The reason for this finding is that the substance has very low glycemic index. The absorption rate of this substance is slower. Hence, the insulin demand in the body is not sped up. However, its metabolism takes place in the liver.

Some experiments made on rats have shown that fructose has been linked to the occurrence of cirrhosis and fatty acids in the liver. However, other studies made have found out that it is not only in liver that fructose metabolism takes place. Other tissues also do the process for the sugar while sperm cell uses the substance as an energy source.

Though fructose has low glycemic index making it a probable factor for the slowing down of insulin release from the pancreas, the metabolism of fructose in the liver is the promotes the conversion of the substance into fats.

It has also been indicated that fructose robs off nutrients in the blood. The substance, based on research, has been known to interfere the blood's use of micronutrients such as copper, chromium, magnesium and zinc. The probable consequences for this include creation of blood clots and elevation of LDL cholesterol levels. Likewise, fructose has been discovered to inhibit the impulse of white blood cells likely leading to the impairment of the immune system.

Initially indicated for diabetes mellitus, fructose has been recently found to contribute readily to diabetic complications much more than glucose. The substance has also been studied to have a contribution in the process of glycation, which is the haphazard bonding of single sugar molecule to a lipid or protein molecule. This process is not controlled by enzyme molecules and has been linked to the impairment of molecular functioning of the body.

Excessive consumption of fructose may also lead to obesity, insulin resistance, and elevation of triglycerides and bad cholesterol. Too much consumption of the substance has also been linked to higher concentration of uric acid. Increase in this acid may lead to complication in the cardiovascular system. Metabolic acidosis may also result from excessive ingestion of the sugar promoting the elevation of blood lactic acid.

If you want to control the onset of many diseases that can be brought up by high fructose corn syrup, you must avoid food that contains the substance. However, if unavoidable, limit the consumption of sweets and products, which contain the genetically-modified substance. Read food labels carefully. Ask your doctor for the required amount of sugar level that you need.

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How Much Is The Daily Recommended Intake Of Salt?

Different organizations have published their own recommendation for the right daily salt intake. Mostly, the recommended range is between 15 to 24 grams a day.

This recommendation is published for healthy adults while those who have acute or chronic heart disease or kidney problems may have to consume lower sodium than recommended.

Salt has a chemical name of sodium chloride. The element sodium can provide certain benefits to the human body. It can help in maintaining the proper equilibrium of body fluids. Aside from that, it aids in the transmission of nerve impulses. Sodium influences the relaxation and contraction of muscles.

The body specifically the kidney organ is functioned to regulate the level of sodium in the body. The elimination of excess sodium is excreted in the urine. The excretory organ preserves sodium when the body has insufficiency in supply.

The saying, too much is bad enough, can be applied to sodium intake. Salt must be taken in small amount or at recommended daily amount. Small amount of this element, which is considered a nutrient, can provide the mentioned benefits. Too much of the element is certainly not suitable.

The kidney can control the amount of sodium in the body. However, when there is excess, it flows in the bloodstream. The accumulation of sodium in the blood can have undesirable result. Sodium can draw and hold water causing the volume of blood to increase. When this occurs, more blood is circulated in the blood vessel and the heart must work harder. Because of this, the pressure in the arteries increases. When there is an elevation in pressure in the cardiovascular system, you probably know the subsequent circumstance.

Not only the heart can be affected by too much sodium in the body. The kidney and liver may also be targeted. Excessive sodium may lead to chronic kidney disorder and cirrhosis. Meanwhile, the over consumption of salt is found to be one of the
causes of heart failure and diseases.

Upon knowing the likely effects of taking too much salt in the body, you probably want to regulate the amount. If you are conscious about your health and you want to take care of your heart and kidney, you must regulate the level of the sodium intake.

There may be a problem in the regulation, especially if you don't know the level of sodium that it is in a certain food.

The main sources of sodium are natural and processed foods. Processed and instant foods may have high amount of sodium content. Aside from sugar, the problem with many processed foods is the presence of high sodium. Aside from being a taste-enhancer, sodium is commonly used as a preservative.

Sodium is naturally found in some foods such as vegetables, meat, dairy products and poultry. The content of salt may not be as high as in processed foods. However, the level of sodium may increase if the food is cooked and added with salt. Other substances with sodium content include soy sauce, monosodium glutamate, ketchup, sauce, baking powder, baking soda, sodium nitrate, sodium alginate and disodium phosphate. These substances can be added to a food or meal to enhance the flavor.

Cutting the salt and food with high sodium content may be difficult at first. It would take a gradual process to get used to bland food.

In condiments, you may add just a nice pinch of salt. It would be better to use soy sauce that is low in sodium content. As an alternative, use spices and herbs to enhance the aroma and flavor of the food. This may make you less reliant to salt.

Moreover, choose fresh meat over processed protein source. If avoidable, keep it to a minimum and always drink glasses of water aplenty. Water can help in the excretion of sodium in the kidney.

Check the food label. If you are conscious of the sodium content in all food, you may check a table of food with corresponding sodium level.

If you want a healthy heart and lively kidney, always check your diet. Watch not only for sodium, but also the sugar content.

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The Importance of Reading Nutrition Labels

If you are conscious about the content of packed foods, you definitely have to check the nutrition labels.

The nutrition label that can be seen in a packaging can give you an idea of the amount of servings per fats, calories or nutrients that contain in a consumable product. If you are counting calories on your diet, you may have to check first the nutrition facts before you lay the food item on the shopping basket or cart.

The nutrition facts label can give you an idea how healthy the food is. It can also provide the consumer the knowledge of the contents of the food in terms of fat, sugar and sodium contents and the integration of vitamins and minerals.

With the onset of many diseases and the presence of carcinogenic ingredients, it is not just worthwhile but very relevant to scan the nutrition label in a food item. Checking the food items for nutrition, calorie content, fats, sugar and sodium is one of the steps for a healthy lifestyle.

What constitutes the nutrition label?

The nutrition label provides the information about the serving size per gram or ounce, the amount per serving of calories, percent daily values and amount of saturated fat, trans fat, total fat, cholesterol that contains in a food item. It also lets the consumer know the percent daily value and grams of sodium, sugars, total carbohydrates, and dietary fiber contents of the item. The amount of protein, vitamins and minerals are also integrated in the label, which may prompt the consumer about the healthiness of the packaged food or beverages.

The serving amount of nutritional needs may be expressed in gram, ounce or milligram.

Moreover, consumable products whether dry food or liquid item may also include on the label the suggested daily requirements.

How to read the nutrition labels?

Packaging sells. Even those unhealthy foods may be found appealing to consumers. However,
if you are overly conscious of your health, what appeals to you is the nutrition label and not the cartoon character, the color or the texture of the packaging.

It is seldom for food items to have nutrition label placed on their face. Mostly, the nutrition facts label is found on the side or at the back of the packaging. Finding the nutrition label may seem very easy. However, when you come to deciphering the percent daily value of the food content, there may be difficulty.

As you may see on the nutrition label, it indicates the amount per serving and percent daily values in the food item. It can provide you information about the amount of nutritional values you may be getting in a serving size and if it is adequate or not in achieving the daily recommended nutritional needs.

The nutrition label may be an indication of how much you may be benefiting from the food item. It cannot only provide the good that is in the food item but also the bad. If you have idea of your daily calorie needs and the required amount of sodium and sugars, you must check on the label if the serving amount is good enough or adequate for you. The label may also indicate the kind of fat that is in the food item. If you want to cut out or limit the bad fat, which is the saturated fat, you probably avoid yourself buying food items with high amount of that fat by looking at the nutrition labels.

The nutrition label is also helpful for those who are counting their nutritional level. Aside from calories, some individuals may also check on the label if the food item can provide them the adequate percentage or amount of nutritional needs such as carbohydrates, protein and micro-nutrients. It may have certain significance to bodybuilders, fit individuals, and fashion models.

If you want to have better knowledge about determining the contents in the nutrition facts, you may have to ask reputable health professionals on this.

Aside from nutrition labels, you should also check the ingredient label of the food items for presence of known carcinogens.

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