Industrial Corn & High Fructose Corn Syrup - Research Paper Example

Industrial corn and high fructose corn syrup Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 Introduction 2 Thesis statement 3 Effects of consuming high fructose corn syrup 3 1. Non-communicable diseases 3 2. High fructose corn syrup and mercury 5 3. High fructose corn syrup and the Fibromyalgia 6 Effects of overutilization of industrial corn 6 1.Environmental effects 6 Prevention of Impacts of Consuming Fructose Syrup and overproduction of corn 7 1.Adoption of healthy dietary practices 7 2.Avoidance of sugary foods 8 3.Reduce the consumption of nutritious meals 8 4.Adoption of strict policies and laws 8 Conclusion 9 References 10 Introduction It is undisputable that the use of industrial corn and high fructose corn syrup are currently among the commonly used products. Research has found that glucose-fructose syrup has become a major subject of sugar production in the European Union. Glucose-fructose syrup poses stiff competition on table sugar. Available sources states that fructose was virtually absent in our diet 100 years ago. However, it is the main component of the modern diet. Beet or cane, high fructose corn syrup, fruits, and honey are the main source of fructose. It is true that fructose falls under the same class of carbohydrates, monosaccharide, with other commonly consumed nutrients such as glucose and galactose. However, one major difference between fructose and glucose or galactose is that it has distinct metabolism. Fructose is almost completely extracted and rapidly converted into glucose, glycogen, lactate, and fat in the liver. Initial studies had recommended that fructose could help in reducing the progression of diabetes mainly because it had low glycemic index. However, following extensive and thorough study, it turned out that chronically high consumption of fructose is associated with hepatic and extra hepatic insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and high blood pressure. One of the main reason facilitating the popularity of industrial corn and high fructose corn syrup is the fact that the syrup is cheaply produced US corn. Additionally, US government gets subsidies in production of corn. Industrial corn, according to Micheal Pollan, has a number of uses. The corn is the main source of food to animals as well as human being. Being made up of greater percentage of carbohydrates, the industrial corn can be processed into a multitude of food and industrial products. These products include the starches, sweeteners, corn oil, beverages, industrial and fuel alcohol. Additionally, the components of corn are found in virtually everyday items such as the toothpaste, cosmetics, adhesives and shoe polish. Fructose corn syrup, on the other hand is a specific form of syrup that must undergo some enzymatic processes to produce some sweetness. Thesis statement From the introduction above, it is apparent that industrial corn and high fructose corn syrup has a variety of uses. Nevertheless, the use of corn syrup and high fructose syrup has been implicated to a number of negative contributions. A study that was conducted by Smith (2006) proved that consumption of high fructose corn in US is responsible for about 20% of the cases of obesity and overweight. The overproduction of corn and high fructose corn syrup has encouraged most of the American’s to over consume and hence leading to accumulation of calories. Increased consumption of fructose-sweetened beverages along with rising prevalence of overweight, obesity, and non-insulin dependent diabetes underscore the importance of investigating the metabolic consequences of fructose consumption. Because of the existing controversial between the use of industrial corn and high fructose corn syrup, there is a need to find out and analyze both the positive and negative contribution made by the industrial corn and high fructose corn syrup. This research paper is dedicated into exploring a number of issues related to the use of the industrial corn and fructose syrup. Effects of consuming high fructose corn syrup 1. Non-communicable diseases As stated above, high fructose corn syrup is becoming the most commonly used form of sweeteners. This is so because of the cheaper production processes involved as well as the hardy nature of the corn plant. However, the use of this syrup is raising a lot of health concerns in the US especially as the government strives to intervene to the rising trend of non-communicable diseases (Aksoy & Beghin, 2005). Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are currently plaguing the middle and elderly population in America. Non communicable diseases are those forms of diseases that cannot be transmitted from one person to another. The main reason why such diseases are non-communicable is that they are determined by the kind of lifestyle that adopted by an individual. Dietary factors are among the main factors related to the non-communicable diseases. A study conducted by Stanhope et al (2011) found out that involved consumption of more than 100 and 150 kcal of added sugar per day for two weeks increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease comparably with fructose and more than glucose in young adults. Another study that was conducted to find out the effects of effects of fructose consumption reveals that the endocrine effects of fructose consumption favor a positive energy balance. Positive energy balance is definitely associated with the obesity and overweight. These conditions have been linked with a number of health problems such as diabetes and hypertension. Stanhope et al (2011) also found out that consumption of fructose-sweetened beverages substantially increases postprandial triacylglycerol concentrations compared with glucose-sweetened beverages. Different studies conducted by different independent researchers reveals that the use of corn and high fructose corn syrup has a role to play as far as the progression of the obesity and overweight. Obesity and overweight have been positively associated with the cardiovascular diseases and other non-communicable diseases. Research has revealed that high fructose syrup is a main contributor of the adolescent overweight. This is because of the fact that this form of syrup stimulates appetite (Mark, 1998). The overproduction of corn and high fructose corn syrup has encouraged most of the American’s to over consume and hence leading to accumulation of calories. This is definitely a ticket to obesity and other related disease such as diabetes. Because of the above health issue related to the high fructose corn syrup, the American diabetic association argues that the people should consume the syrup with moderation. The only problem is overconsumption, which occurs as a result of the stimulative nature of the syrup. 2. High fructose corn syrup and mercury According to Pollan (2003), HFCS contains toxic trace elements such as mercury. Such toxins can contaminate the honey beers especially when they are exposed to temperatures above 450c. Pollan also noted that products such as barbeque sauces, condiments, dairy products, beverages, nutrition bars and snacks are made of high fructose corn syrup. He warns that such products contain some traces of mercury. Alexandra (2011) managed to explain the relationship between mercury and corn syrup. He states that the processing plants used to process corn are responsible for the contamination of the corn with mercury. He states that HFCS is composed of common carbohydrates, fructose and glucose. During processing, these components needs to de separated. The processing involves milling corn to produce cornstarch, which is then processed again to extract a substance that is primarily glucose. One of the products used in conversion of corn is the caustic soda. Caustic Soda is prepared through a mercury-cell technology. This is how the mercury gets into the high fructose corn syrup. Consequently, high consumption of these products can lead to dietary exposure to mercury. This can pose life-threatening risks to adults, children and developing fetuses by attacking the nervous system. Fructose is believed to bring about brain disorders similar to those of alcohol drinkers. This is most common in the United States of America. 3. High fructose corn syrup and the Fibromyalgia Research carried out by Lorigan (2007) reveals that high fructose corn syrup has some role to play as far as fibromyalgia is concerned. Fibromyalgia is a condition affecting the joints. It makes the joint painful and may inhibit normal day to day activities. Effects of overutilization of industrial corn 1. Environmental effects A number of studies have attributed corn production with several environmental problems. A study conducted by Ren et al (2011) revealed that increased utilization of the industrial corn precipitate the corn production. However, the problem arises during the land clearance. They noted that the common way of clearing the farms in the America is through burning the remnants of the corn stalks. A study was done to find out the kind of pollutants released during such combustion. The findings show that sulphur IV oxide and nitrogen II oxide emission from the blends are a little higher than that from municipal solid waste. Additionally, X-ray diffraction results indicate that the reaction between calcium in corn stalk and chlorine to form calcium chloride results in an HCl reduction from co-combustion. Extensive production of corn is attributed to the environmental destruction. Study done to find out the relationship between corn production and environment reveals that tillage of corn, even in a period of one year adversely affect the soil quality. This would in turn result in possible negative impact on crop yields. It exposes the soil to erosion and hence making land unproductive. A study done in Ohio reveals that land field under occasional tillage had significantly higher soil penetration resistance than non-tilled field. It also revealed that field under occasional tillage had somewhat lower soil organic carbon. Generally, these studies indicated that corn production has adverse effects on soil quality. This can predispose the place to environmental hazards such as desertification and aridity. Corn productions also involve destruction of vegetation. It is argued that vegetations have been cleared in order to create space for corn production. Destruction of the trees and other forms of vegetation has contributed towards desertification and hence climate change. Another study carried to determine the impact of increased ethanol production from starch corn on agricultural land use and environment in US found out that although increased production of corn is associated with positive economy, the extensive production of corn is responsible for regional soil erosion; fossil fuel-based carbon emissions increased, and decrease in the soil carbon stocks. Prevention of Impacts of Consuming Fructose Syrup and overproduction of corn From the foregoing discussion, it is clear that excessive consumption of high fructose corn syrups is associated with more harm than good especially when it comes to health perspectives. This implies that there is need to come up with methods of preventing such impacts. 1. Adoption of healthy dietary practices Adoption of health dietary practices would aid in reduction of the issues related to the high fructose corn syrup. The public should be advised of the significance of consuming complex carbohydrates such as starch and fiber in place of the simple carbohydrates. This would assist in reducing the effects caused by HFCS. 2. Avoidance of sugary foods Most of the sugary food is made from fructose. In order to curb these disorders, it is advisable for people to consume water and avoid sugary contents. Also, none dietary sodas will be preferred to the sweet beverages (Mark, 1998). 3. Reduce the consumption of nutritious meals Limit the amount of nutritious and the frosted cereals, which have attractive sweet tastes, especially to the children when evaluating meals for breakfast (Lorigan, 2007). It is also advisable not to take too much of packed foods like cakes which are more nutritional because they have many cause many health problems. 4. Adoption of strict policies and laws Adoption of appropriate laws and policies related to corn processing. As mentioned in the discussion above, the corn processing units are responsible for contamination of the corn with mercury. Therefore, the best way of reducing such contamination is through imposition of laws that govern the quality of the syrup produced. 5. Adoption of conservation measures Adoption of conservation measures is necessary to curb the problems brought about by extensive production of corn. Conclusion From the foregoing discussion, it is clear that the high fructose corn solution and industrial corn are flogging the current markets. However, another serious issue that was noted is the fact that these products have both the positive and negative contributions towards economy. Despite the fact that there were a number of positive contributions made by the tow products, it is important as industrial products such as starches, sweeteners, corn oil, beverages, industrial and fuel alcohol. However, what is more important is the relationship between the use of industrial and high fructose corn syrup. This is due to the fact that overconsumption of these products would definitely affect the positive and energy. Such occurrences are normally associated with the lifestyle diseases. There are a lot of concern in the incidence and prevalence of these diseases (Smith, 2006). References Aksoy, A. and Beghin, J. (2005). “Sugar Policies: An Opportunity for Change.” Global Agricultural Trade and Developing Countries. New York: World Bank Publications. Lorigan, J. (2007). High Fructose Corn Syrup and the Fibromyalgia Connection: Fibromyalgia Recovery Handbook. New York: AuthorHouse. Mark, W. (1998). From where I sit: Essays on bees, beekeeping, and science. Ithaca: Comstock Publishing Associates. Pollan, M. (2009). In Defense of Food: Eaters Manifesto. New York; Penguin press Smith, A. (2006). Encyclopedia of Junk Food and Fast Food. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group. Read More