High Fructose Corn Syrup Research Paper

The Danger Lurking in Your Kitchen Pantry

In tenth grade, my biology teacher radically changed the way I ate with six simple words: high fructose corn syrup is bad. At first I brushed it off as one of the many stories that adults make up to scare children into eating their vegetables, but when my teacher went into the science behind his statement, I understood the powerful truth behind his words. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a liquid sweetener made from corn and composed of the simple sugars fructose and glucose (White 1716S; vol. 88). Today, sugar makes up much of the average American’s diet, especially that of teenagers. Of all the sweeteners consumed, HFCS stands as one of the most common ("Why You Should Never Eat”). Ingesting this

While HFCS does not directly cause this condition, it contributes to the occurrence of obesity (White 1716S; vol. 88). According to practicing physician Mark Hyman, M.D., HFCS on an ingredients label represents “a big red flag for very poor quality food” and people should avoid it ("Why You Should Never Eat”). This sweetener functions as a cheaper alternative to table sugar and found in many processed foods and sugary drinks, such as soda, cookies, crackers, and other “junk” foods (Elliott); therefore, it causes weight gain because it comprises unhealthy foods that when continuously eaten can cause this effect. Eating these products occasionally might not cause harm, but when the average teenager drinks two 20-ounce sodas a day, it is no surprise that such behavior can lead to added weight. The sugar content of one of these sodas alone is seventeen teaspoons, close to twice the daily recommended amount for men and women ("5 Reasons”; Elliott). By not consuming products with HFCS, teenagers can work toward limiting the spread of

Simply put, according to the FDA, HFCS comes from corn starch that breaks down into glucose molecules to create corn syrup. From there, added enzymes turn some of the glucose into fructose ("High Fructose”). Fructose is a simple sugar found naturally in fruits; however, here it results from an industrial process, making it unnatural. HFCS differs from table sugar in that it has a higher fructose to glucose ratio, and unbounded molecules. This means that instead of slowly digesting, HFCS goes to the liver faster, and can start lipogenesis, fat production. In effect, this can result in fatty liver disease, which affects millions of Americans today ("5 Reasons”). Even though this condition results from the overconsumption of HFCS, teenagers should cut out this sweetener completely in order to prevent any chance of getting it.

Teenagers should limit the amount of HFCS in their diets to prevent consequent health problems. Some of the results of excessively intaking this sweetener are unhealthy weight gain, chemical toxin accumulation, and fatty liver disease. If teenagers took action to cut back on this sweetener, it could create a ripple effect on the people around them and lead to healthier