Financial Support
By Dean L. Jones
Individual tax season is upon us and it seems appropriate to mention how our U.S. taxes over the past 15 years have significantly subsidized corn farmers to the tune of more than $77 billion! The records reflect that roughly 75% of all government sponsored financial farm support is paid to just 10% of America’s farmers, all of whom grow corn for a living.
The processed sugar connection centers on how for the past 25 years, the price of fruits and vegetables have risen 30%-50%, while the price for sugary soda has decreased by 34%. Inexpensive corn syrup is the reason as agricultural corn subsidies help push demand to more easily buy 19 Twinkies, since for the same money will only supply the purchase of less than ¼ of a fresh apple!
Unfortunately, since corn is a grain, it breaks down in the body to sugar very rapidly and typically increases an insulin resistance if frequently consumed. Elevated insulin levels in turn are linked to most chronic degenerative diseases, including everything from obesity and diabetes to premature aging.
The larger problem with our corn corps is that the Monsanto Company has taken control over the vast majority of American-grown corn through their genetically engineered patents. Monsanto and other major corporations have convinced the government that their process of corn agricultural produces a built-in pesticide that kills bugs by making the bug’s stomach explode. The kicker is that the toxic elements remain in the corn, which is then consumed by everyone who eats the corn and/or its byproducts.
With the farmers making a living from growing corn it is no wonder that the average American increased their consumption of HFCS, mostly from sugar sweetened drinks and processed food, to over 60-pounds per person per year. It is pretty common to hear through the media messages that recite if you eat in moderation all is okay. Except, even in moderation HFCS consumption is a major cause of heart disease, obesity, cancer, dementia, liver failure, tooth decay, and more.
Globally, our society represents the number one per capita consumer of corn. Bear in mind that corn is the nucleus of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and other corn-derivatives that are added to nearly every kind of processed food sold on grocery shelves.
Whenever you read a label that has HFCS be aware that the it is always found in very poor-quality foodstuff that is null and void of nutrition. In addition, it is probably filled with all sorts of other disease promoting compounds, fats, salt, chemicals, and even mercury.
Corn is so prevalent that salad dressing has HFCS, just as toothpaste uses corn, usually contained in sorbitol to create the flavor and familiar texture that we have come to appreciate as tooth paste. Fortified milk includes corn as part of the vitamin D ingredient, accordingly, live SugarAlert!
www.SugarAlert.com
Dean Jones is an Ethics Advocate, Southland Partnership Corporation (a public benefit organization), contributing his view on certain aspects of foodstuff.