Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should target High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) first. This poison become a staple ingredient in many processed foods and beverages, especially in the United States. A cheap and effective sweetener derived from corn, HFCS is commonly found in sodas, snacks, sauces, and cereals. Despite its widespread use, research has increasingly linked HFCS to several health concerns, most notably obesity, and it has even been banned or restricted in many countries. Understanding the dangers of HFCS, its role in America’s obesity epidemic, and why it is banned elsewhere sheds light on a complex public health issue.

One of the most concerning dangers of HFCS is its contribution to obesity. HFCS is a form of added sugar, which provides empty calories without any nutritional value. Unlike natural sugars, HFCS is often consumed in large quantities because it is present in so many processed foods. It is particularly problematic in sugary drinks, where people can easily consume several hundred calories in one sitting without feeling full. Unlike solid foods, liquid calories do not trigger the same feelings of fullness, causing people to drink more without accounting for the added calories. This frequent overconsumption of calories leads to an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, ultimately contributing to weight gain and obesity.

In addition to its role in weight gain, HFCS has been shown to have a direct impact on metabolism and fat storage. The body metabolizes fructose (the component of HFCS) differently than glucose, the sugar found in most other foods. While glucose can be used immediately by the body for energy, fructose is primarily processed in the liver, where it can be converted into fat. This fat accumulation in the liver can lead to a condition known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has become more prevalent alongside rising HFCS consumption. Moreover, excess fructose intake can also lead to insulin resistance, a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes.

High-fructose corn syrup’s role in the obesity epidemic in the United States is clear. Obesity rates in America have skyrocketed since the widespread introduction of HFCS in the 1970s. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the obesity rate among U.S. adults has more than doubled since then, with more than 40% of adults now classified as obese.

This correlates with a dramatic increase in HFCS consumption, which began to rise rapidly in the 1980s as it became a cheap alternative to cane sugar. The increase in processed foods and sugary drinks, many containing HFCS, has made it easy for Americans to consume more sugar than is healthy, fueling the obesity crisis. Interestingly, while HFCS is ubiquitous in the U.S., many other countries have taken steps to regulate or ban its use due to health concerns.

In countries like Japan, South Korea, and much of the European Union, the use of HFCS is restricted or even prohibited. In these regions, healthier alternatives such as natural cane sugar or fruit-based sweeteners are more commonly used. European Union regulations, for instance, limit the amount of corn syrup that can be used in food products, and many European countries have much lower rates of HFCS consumption than the U.S. This has led to lower obesity rates and fewer associated health problems.

The stark difference in how HFCS is viewed around the world highlights the growing concern over its health implications. Countries that have banned or limited HFCS have done so in response to mounting evidence that it contributes to chronic diseases and obesity. As Americans continue to struggle with rising obesity rates, the debate over the safety and ethics of HFCS remains an important part of the ongoing conversation about public health and the food industry. By examining the dangers of HFCS, the obesity epidemic, and the steps taken by other countries to limit its use, we can better understand the need for action and reform in the U.S. food system. RFKJ would do so much towards “Making America Healthy Again” if he targeted this pellucid monster right out of the gate.

C. Rich

CRich@AmericaSpeaksInk.com

C. Rich

C. Rich is the voice behind America Speaks Ink, home to the America First Movement. As an author, poet, freelance ghostwriter, and blogger, C. Rich brings a “baked-in” perspective shaped by growing up on the streets and beaches of South Florida in the 1970s-1980s and brings a quintessential Generation-X point of view.

Rich’s writing journey began in 2008 with coverage of the Casey Anthony trial and has since evolved into a wide-ranging exploration of politics, culture, and the issues that define our times. Follow C. Rich’s writing odyssey here at America Speaks Ink and on Amazon with a multi-book series on Donald Trump called “Trump Era: The MAGA Files” and many other books and subjects C. Rich is known to cover.

“America Speaks Ink is a Google News approved source for Opinion”