Back in 2008, the backlash against high fructose corn syrup was getting so large that the Corn Refiners Association decided to fight back. Their ammo was a television commercial displaying a couple sharing a Popsicle. When the man voices his concern that the popsicle contains high fructose corn syrup, the woman reassures him that high fructose corn syrup is made from corn, has the same calories as sugar, and is fine in moderation.1 So, what is the Corn Refiners Association? The Corn Refiners Association is a trade association based in Washington, D.C. Corn refining began in the United States in 1848 at a corn starch factory in New York. By 1879, there were 140 starch factories in the U.S. keeping up with consumer demand. Corn starch was used in laundry, as a food ingredient, and in the manufacturing of sweeteners. By 1906, only 10 refining factories remained due to mergers, competition from foreign imports, and lack of patents.2
Since many popsicle brands sold in supermarkets contain high fructose corn syrup, it is best to simply make your own! The process is easy and you can make sure that the ingredients in your popsicle are exactly what you want.
BENEFITS FOR YOUR HEALTH:
Today, virtually every product we consume or use, from toothpaste to daily vitamins to popsicles, even corn on the ingredient list in some form.3 While corn on the cob is certainly not negatively impacting our health, corn in other forms, such as high fructose corn syrup, has some serious downsides. As part of the manufacturing process for high fructose corn syrup, the glucose and fructose become separated. This separation allows fructose to travel directly to the liver, triggering fat production in the liver known as lipogenesis. Lipogenesis leads to fatty liver, which in turn can lead to a myriad of health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes, cancer, dementia, and Type 2 diabetes.4
High fructose corn syrup manufacturing also involves many harmful chemicals. For example, chloralkali is used in the production of high fructose corn syrup, but it contains mercury. Traces of mercury have even been found in beverages containing high fructose corn syrup. This discovery is concerning due to the amount of high fructose corn syrup an average American consumes each day—20 teaspoons! Sadly, the average American teenager consumes 34 teaspoons per day. At such a high intake, the mercury could accumulate over time and cause serious health problems.5
BENEFITS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT:
The U.S. is the largest producer of corn in the world—accounting for around 32% of the global corn supply. Over 400,000 farms in the U.S. grow corn. Domestic and overseas livestock, poultry, and fish production facilities consume 80% of U.S. corn. Humans consume, either directly or indirectly (such as from high fructose corn syrup), about twelve percent of U.S. corn.6
Most of the farmers that grow corn use the monoculture method. Monoculture in agriculture means that a field only grows one type of crop instead of many types.7 This farming practice has many negative environmental impacts. Monoculture decreases the pesticides to keep their yields up. Since corn is the biggest culprit of monoculture, it is best to avoid foods and products that use it, such as popsicles made with high fructose corn syrup.8 Here is a recipe for popsicles you can make at home that I love and hope you will too!
Strawberry + Mint Popsicles 9
Here is a refreshing popsicle recipe I recently tried out at home, adapted from one I found on a great food blog! You can find the original recipe here: http://theyearinfood.com/2011/08/summer-berry-mint-ice-pops.html
Cost:Medium. Strawberries can sometimes be pricey, and if you choose to buy organic they are a bit more costly. The good news is that you can grow organic mint at home really easily and on the cheap! This recipe will yield 8 popsicles when used with 3 ounce molds.
Time and Effort:Medium. While making the popsicles does not take much effort, you will have to wait about six hours for them to freeze.
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
Additional materials needed:
Mixing bowl
Wooden spoon
Saucepan
Liquids measuring cup
Popsicle molds
Instructions:
- Combine the sliced strawberries in a mixing bowl with the lemon juice and fresh chopped mint. Mash this mixture with the back of a wooden spoon. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- While the mixture is sitting, put the sugar and the water in a saucepan and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Let the sugar water cool for about five minutes.
- Pour the sugar water into the strawberry mixture and mix with a wooden spoon.
- Using a measuring cup with a spout, pour the popsicle mixture into the molds.
- Freeze for six hours. You can always run the molds under warm water should the popsicles get stuck. Enjoy!
