Positive and Negative Effects of Fructose Corn Syrup (Essay Sample)

Positive and Negative Effects of Fructose Corn Syrup
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Positive and Negative Effects of Fructose Corn Syrup
Introduction
According to Lorigan (2011), high fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that makes foods and beverages have better taste. Enzymes are utilized to ensure the ingredients added make food sweet. The syrup is usually made from corn through mixing other products, which are then added into food. Though some experts claim that the syrup is suitable for the body and other uses, others have campaigned against the use of the high fructose corn syrup because of its negative effects.
Positive effects of fructose corn syrup
According to Skoog, Bharucha & Zinsmeister, (2008), there is no evidence that fructose, which is used to make the syrup causes problems like cancer and diabetes. He insists that fructose is natural because it occurs in nature through fresh, whole fruits. In this sense, just because studies in animals have revealed that the product may be harmful, is not evidence enough to conclude the same for humans. He further claims that though there is a likelihood of excessive consumption leading to such problems as obesity and cancer it is not practical that a human being can consume that much fructose corn syrup as to cause destruction.
In addition, Skoog, et al (2008) claim that fructose corn syrup is just the same as table sugar is, and thus, is not harmful. Many people utilize table sugar, but think that fructose corn syrup could contain more calories. This, however, is untrue. Thus, it is vital to realize that the body breaks down both products in the same manner. Moreover, he adds that little evidence is available on the adverse effects of consuming excessive fructose corn syrup than there is for sugar. Thus, people should not fear, but instead have the knowledge that the syrup is broken down into glucose, which is used up by the body.
Negative effects of fructose corn syrup
According to Popa & Ustunol (2011), excessive use of fructose corn syrup is likely to result to weight additions in the bodies of individuals. In 2008, for instance, the number of obese individuals in America had risen because of consumption of fructose corn syrup. In addition, high consumption puts people at the risk of having diabetes, because of the high level of the compound carbonyls, in the syrup.
Moreover, the fructose corn syrup, amidst several debates has been found not to be natural. It has to exist through human intervention, increasing the risk of many artificial products added into it. The product requires many stages of processing, which corn and other materials have to be subjected to, in order to obtain the syrup. Through this process, many enzymes and other natural ingredients are killed. This is because it is impossible to go to the field, squeeze up some syrup out of sugar.
Moreover, corn syrup is usually too sweet, which when consumed in large quantities becomes unhealthy for humans. Too much sweetness may lead to irritation in the mouth and expose the body to other dangers through exposure of the body in too much sugar. In this sense, Sievenpiper, De Souza, Mirrahimi, Carleton, Beyene & Jenkins, (2012) indicate that too much consumption of the product may expose the body to cancerous cells. He adds that the syrup contains mercury, which is found in caustic soda. It is difficult for people to tell whether caustic soda contains taints of mercury or not, making the product risky.
Conclusion
Consumption of fructose corn syrup has more negative effects than it has positive effects. Thus, it is...