10. High Fructose Corn Syrup
High-fructose corn syrup gets a big thumbs down when it comes to your health, and multiple studies have established a link between this ingredient and a range of serious conditions, such as obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
The problem is, high-fructose syrup is used in a vast array of products as it’s so cheap to produce – everything from soft drinks, through to salad dressing, and cereal. Made from corn starch, high-fructose corn syrup acts as a sweetener with a sweetness level that is comparable to sucralose. It was first introduced in the 1950’s, but wasn’t widely included in products until the 1970’s, when it started to be used as a more economical alternative to sugar.
This ingredient isn’t a great alternative to sugar laden foods though, and many studies indicate that it is likely far worse. Researchers conducting a study at Princeton University discovered that high-fructose corn syrup prompted more weight gain than sugar! It’s definitely best to avoid products that contain high-fructose syrup as much as you can, as it offers you no real benefits but could cause a wide range of harms.
