Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup in Your Workout Fuel

Before you go for a run or to the gym to work out, the natural inclination is to grab a sports drink to go along with you. You’ve been told for the better part of your life that sports drinks put back into your body what you sweat out, making you think that anything labeled as a sports drink is good for you when you exercise. However, this is far from the case. Reading labels and avoiding products that contain artificial sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup will help you get the hydration you need to perform at peak form. It is important to understand the composition of HFCS, as well as its effects on your body, so that you can make the best decision on an electrolyte replacement drink as you leave the house.

What Is High Fructose Corn Syrup?

To understand what goes into HFCS, it is important to look at its basic component: fructose. Fructose is a sugar that is primarily metabolized in your liver, whereas every cell in your body can process glucose. It is twice as sweet tasting as glucose, which is why it is preferred by the food industry. In addition, the high tariffs on imported cane sugar leave sports drink manufacturers looking for more cost-effective ways to sweeten their product.

High fructose corn syrup is made by milling corn to create cornstarch, and then processing it into glucose, before fructose, through the use of multiple enzymatic (chemical) treatments. Table sugar is composed of 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose. High fructose corn syrup, on the other hand, contains a greater percentage of fructose (usually 55 percent to 90 percent). This means that there is a greater amount of sugar included in your drink that your body has trouble processing.

Health Effects of High Fructose Corn Syrup

In excess, HFCS has been linked to problems with plasma lipids, fatty liver, diabetes, and obesity. According to the Global Healing Center, HFCS users carry “significant risk” of weight gain and obesity. The overconsumption of sugars, in general, has been linked to health problems in the United States. Since HFCS is already difficult to metabolize, you can easily see how it can pose a risk to your health. It is important to realize that HFCS is not just present in sodas, which is why it is necessary to check product labels before making a purchase. An overwhelming amount of sweetened drinks, such as fruit juice and those listed as being “all natural,” may be hiding the inclusion of HFCS, which will come as a surprise to many.

Fueling Up the Healthy Way

Vitalyte’s electrolyte replacement drink is made with no artificial sweeteners like HFCS, and it is a natural, healthy sports drink. Eliminating HFCS from your daily routine will allow you to feel more energized and perform at your best. Vitalyte is the healthier choice during your workouts, because your body can rapidly absorb it, so your electrolytes are replenished and you can get back to full speed. Outside of workouts, it is important to talk with your doctor or nutritionist to analyze and modify your diet so that you include healthy meals and snacks, and weed out those with large amounts of HFCS. To learn

more about how Vitalyte can naturally boost your workout, visit www.vitalyte.com.

Summary

High fructose corn syrup is not easily absorbed or metabolized in your body, which poses health risks and can greatly affect your workout. Choosing an electrolyte replacement drink such as Vitalyte allows you to naturally replenish your energy and get increased endurance.

Company Bio

Vitalyte (www.vitalyte.com) is a healthy, natural electrolyte replacement product that is quickly absorbed by the body to give athletes a much-needed boost of energy in a short amount of time. Vitalyte is committed to assisting athletes worldwide in achieving their peak performance. Vitalyte can be traced back more than 40 years, and the company is headquartered in Escondido, CA.

Source

1. Group III. Dr. Edward F. “5 Health Dangers of High Fructose Corn Syrup.” Global Healing Center. 19 Jun. 2014. Web. 10 Jul. 2014.