The Effects of High Fructose Corn Syrup, Trans-fat, and Sugar on an Individuals’ Health

The Importance of Food in Society

In our society, food has always held a special place in our hearts. Food is a necessity for our lives, but eating too much of certain foods can leave us with a lifetime of problems. Obesity has been a huge trend in America, and it is not a trend that we should be okay with. According to the State of Children Obesity, Texas has the tenth highest obesity rate for adults at an estimated rate of thirty-five percent, and it is the seventh-highest obesity rate for young adults, between the ages of ten to seventeen. There are many factors that can affect your health through the consumption of foods. Eating food may be easy, but it is actually quite difficult for some people to consume the right amount of food, which leads to many health problems. For example, the effects of high fructose corn syrup, trans-fat, sodium, and sugar can lead to a terrible outcome on your health. These dietary elements are closely related to the obesity epidemic in the U.S., particularly in South Texas.

The Effects of High Fructose Corn Syrup, Trans-fat, and Sugar on an Individual’s Health

High Fructose Corn Syrup

High fructose corn syrup can have major effects on an individual's health. It is an artificial sweetener made from corn syrup. If you consume a lot of high fructose corn syrup, it can lead to insulin resistance, obesity, type two diabetes, and high blood pressure (Johnson et al., 2007). Many people drink lots of high-fructose corn syrup because it is the main ingredient in most soft drinks. The consumption of beverages containing fructose increased by 135 percent between 1977 and 2001 (Bray et al., 2004). Additionally, high-fructose corn syrup can cause liver damage, links to cancer, mercury poisoning, tooth decay, and many more health issues. People should avoid over-exposure to fructose because of a long list of problems that may come with this product. Thus, having a high fructose diet can have a terrible effect on one’s health.

Trans-fats

Trans-fats are considered the worst type of fat anyone can eat. There are two types of trans-fats: naturally-occurring and artificial trans-fats. Naturally occurring trans fats are found in foods like milk and meat products. Artificial trans-fats are created by industrial processes that add hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid, like in cookies and cake. Trans fats can raise your cholesterol levels and negatively impact your health. Consuming these trans fats can lead to strokes or heart disease, and type two diabetes can also occur (Mozaffarian et al., 2006). Foods that contain trans-fats include frozen pizza, crackers, cakes, and cookies. Overconsumption of trans-fat foods can disrupt the cardiovascular system if one is not careful. There has been evidence of artificial trans-fats being banned in U.S. restaurants to ensure public safety. Thus, trans fats can lead to significant obesity and other health problems.

Sodium

Sodium can cause serious health problems. Personally, I am very careful about my sodium intake. A huge example of sodium is salt or baking soda. “A person needs sodium to work properly because it helps with the functions of the nerves and muscles and it also helps keep the right balance of fluids in the body. Your kidneys control how much sodium is in your body. If you have too much and your kidneys cannot get rid of it, sodium builds up in your blood. This can lead to high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to other health problems” (American Heart Association, 2020). Thus, while sodium is necessary for health, ingesting too much can lead to lifelong health problems.

Sugar

Sugar is probably one of the greatest weaknesses for us. Though it tastes delicious, sugar can have many negative effects on the body. Sugar can affect a person’s brain when consumed excessively. Eating sugar gives your brain a feel-good chemical called dopamine, which leads to intense sugar cravings, much like a child obsessed with candy. Sugar can greatly affect your teeth; sugar in candy contains bacteria that causes cavities, leading to tooth decay. Sugar can rapidly raise blood sugar levels, providing a quick energy boost. However, after the boost, sugar levels tend to drop, leaving the body anxious or jittery. Sugar is also one of the main causes of obesity; consuming too much can lead to significant weight gain and health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Thus, eating an excessive amount of sugar can cause obesity and numerous health issues (Lustig et al., 2012).

Personal Experience with Health Issues

Through personal experience, I have witnessed the outcomes of eating an abundance of food in an unhealthy manner. My whole family has suffered from diabetes and high cholesterol, and they are currently undergoing dialysis because they did not monitor their eating habits and physical activity, compounded by genetic factors. The youngest person suffering from diabetes is my niece, who is the same age as me, yet different because she is overweight. When my family received the news that she was borderline diabetic, they made slight dietary changes but did not take it seriously, and at the next doctor’s appointment, she was diagnosed with diabetes. Last year, my oldest brother, aged 38, passed away after a long struggle with his health. His diabetes and high cholesterol confined him to a wheelchair, making life difficult for him. He was often frustrated with his health until his last day. Diabetes is a constant battle in my family, one I am determined not to fight. I watch what I eat and engage in more physical activity, though not as much as I would like. A battle with health is a challenging fight, but I am committed to avoiding it while I am still young and growing.

Conclusion

To conclude, consuming excessive amounts of foods high in fructose corn syrup, trans-fat, sodium, and sugar can adversely affect your health. Therefore, we all need to be mindful of our diets and stay active to avoid numerous health problems.

References

American Heart Association. (2020). Sodium and your health. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sodium

Bray, G. A., Nielsen, S. J., & Popkin, B. M. (2004). Consumption of high-fructose corn syrup in beverages may play a role in the epidemic of obesity. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 79(4), 537-543.

Johnson, R. J., Segal, M. S., Sautin, Y., Nakagawa, T., Feig, D. I., Kang, D. H., ... & Gersch, M. S. (2007). Potential role of sugar (fructose) in the epidemic of hypertension, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 86(4), 899-906.

Lustig, R. H., Schmidt, L. A., & Brindis, C. D. (2012). The toxic truth about sugar. Nature, 482(7383), 27-29.

Mozaffarian, D., Katan, M. B., Ascherio, A., Stampfer, M. J., & Willett, W. C. (2006). Trans fatty acids and cardiovascular disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 354(15), 1601-1613.