ANTIOXIDANTS AND HARMFUL WATER CONTAMINANTS - Contaminants are ever present, even in seemingly clean water. Researchers suggest that antioxidants such as vitamin C and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may help protect you from the harmful effects of hexavalent chromium, a contaminant commonly found in drinking water. Researchers from Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois looked at human cells to determine whether antioxidants can prevent cell toxicity. They exposed two types of human cells to different concentrations of hexavalent chromium. They observed the chemical’s toxic effects on cells at concentrations of 200 parts per billion (ppb) or higher. Hexavalent chromium often leaches into water supply through industrial waste. This chemical is known to cause cancer, and studies revealed that it contaminates water supplies for more than 200 million people in the United States. The harmful effects of high hexavalent chromium concentrations could be completely blocked by adding vitamin C or EGCG. In additional experiments, the researchers investigated DNA mutations in bacteria exposed to 20 ppb or more of hexavalent chromium. Treating bacteria exposed to the chemical with vitamin C prevented the DNA mutations. The researchers concluded that an oxidative mechanism may be responsible for the contaminant’s toxicity, which could be prevented by treating water with antioxidants.

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Antioxidants and harmful water contaminants

Antioxidants also shield you from the harmful effects of water contaminants, according to study

By Melissa Smith

waterfilters.news

Contaminants are ever present, even in seemingly clean water.

Researchers suggest that antioxidants such as vitamin C and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may help protect you from the harmful effects of hexavalent chromium, a contaminant commonly found in drinking water.

Researchers from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois looked at human cells to determine whether antioxidants can prevent cell toxicity.

They exposed two types of human cells to different concentrations of hexavalent chromium.

They observed the chemical’s toxic effects on cells at concentrations of 200 parts per billion (ppb) or higher.

Hexavalent chromium often leaches into water supply through industrial waste.

This chemical is known to cause cancer, and studies revealed that it contaminates water supplies for more than 200 million people in the United States.

The researchers found that the harmful effects of high hexavalent chromium concentrations could be completely blocked by adding vitamin C at 10 parts per million (ppm) or EGCG at 15 ppm.

In additional experiments, the researchers investigated DNA mutations in bacteria exposed to 20 ppb or more of hexavalent chromium.

The results showed that treating bacteria exposed to the chemical with 20 ppm of vitamin C prevented the DNA mutations.

Based on their findings, the researchers concluded that an oxidative mechanism may be responsible for the contaminant’s toxicity, which could be prevented by treating water with antioxidants.

The team hopes that their study could help improve water quality monitoring and regulation, and could lead to treatment that reduces health risks from exposure to hexavalent chromium.

They presented their findings at the 2019 Experimental Biology meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Access to safe drinking water in the U.S. is not guaranteed, so putting in extra effort on keeping your water clean and safe for consumption is important.

Numerous studies have shown that there are hundreds of contaminants in the water supply.

Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Act since 1974 only regulates about 90 contaminants.

The findings of the study highlight the importance of better regulation of these contaminants.

Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables, including berries, bell peppers, and citrus fruits. EGCG, on the other hand, is the main antioxidant found in green tea.

The researchers have yet to determine exactly how much protection you would get from increasing your intake of these antioxidants, but these compounds have already been linked to many other health benefits.

Therefore, upping your intake of vitamin C and EGCG is good for your overall health.

Making sure your water is safe to drink

Water is one of the basic needs of many living beings. It keeps you hydrated, aids in digestion, helps flush out toxins, and even aids in weight loss.

Ensuring that your drinking water is clean is also important to prevent disease and other harmful effects caused by contaminated water.

Here are some tips for making sure your water is safe:

·      Check your water quality – You can request a report from your city or contact your local water supplier to conduct water testing. Water suppliers are required by law to regulate and monitor the supply for contaminants and reduce them to safe levels determined by the EPA.

·      Invest in a water filter – Trace amounts of impurities can still be present in water even if it is monitored. These impurities can include lead that leaches from household plumbing. Exposure to very low levels of lead in drinking water can cause cognitive problems, particularly in children. Consider investing in a reverse osmosis carbon filter, which can be installed under the sink. (Related: How to Choose the Perfect Water Filter for Your Home)

·      Don’t rely on bottled water – Bottled water is not safe from contaminants, either. Consumer Reports reveal that some bottled water brands contain arsenic at unsafe levels. Drinking filtered water from your home filtration system is safe and eco-friendly, reducing your use of plastic bottles.

Learn more ways on how to keep your drinking water clean and safe at WaterPurifiers.news.

https://www.waterfilters.news/2019-11-25-antioxidants-protect-you-from-harmful-water-contaminants.html

HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP - High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener derived from corn syrup, which is processed from corn. It’s used to sweeten processed foods and soft drinks — primarily in the United States. Similarly, to regular table sugar (sucrose), it’s composed of both fructose and glucose. It became a popular sweetener in the late 1970s when the price of regular sugar was high, while corn prices were low due to government subsidies. Though its use skyrocketed between 1975 and 1985, it has declined slightly due to the rising popularity of artificial sweeteners. High-fructose corn syrup is a sugar-based sweetener, used in processed foods and drinks in the United States. Like regular sugar, it consists of the simple sugars glucose and fructose. High fructose corn syrup is made from corn (maize), which is usually genetically modified (GMO). The corn is first milled to produce corn starch, which is then processed further to create corn syrup. Corn syrup consists mostly of glucose. To make it sweeter and more similar in taste to regular table sugar (sucrose), some of that glucose is converted to fructose using enzymes. Different types of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) provide varying proportions of fructose. HFCS 55 is similar to sucrose (regular table sugar), which is 50% fructose and 50% glucose. High-fructose corn syrup is produced from corn (maize) starch, which is further refined to produce syrup.

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High-Fructose Corn Syrup

Just Like Sugar, or Worse?

Joe Leech

For decades, high-fructose corn syrup has been used as a sweetener in processed foods.

Due to its fructose content, it has been heavily criticized for its potential negative health effects.

Many people claim that it’s even more harmful than other sugar-based sweeteners.

This article compares high-fructose corn syrup and regular sugar, reviewing whether one is worse than the other.

What Is High-Fructose Corn Syrup?

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener derived from corn syrup, which is processed from corn.

It’s used to sweeten processed foods and soft drinks — primarily in the United States.

Similarly, to regular table sugar (sucrose), it’s composed of both fructose and glucose.

It became a popular sweetener in the late 1970s when the price of regular sugar was high, while corn prices were low due to government subsidies.

Though its use skyrocketed between 1975 and 1985, it has declined slightly due to the rising popularity of artificial sweeteners.

SUMMARY

High-fructose corn syrup is a sugar-based sweetener, used in processed foods and drinks in the United States. Like regular sugar, it consists of the simple sugars glucose and fructose.

Production Process

High fructose corn syrup is made from corn (maize), which is usually genetically modified (GMO).

The corn is first milled to produce corn starch, which is then processed further to create corn syrup.

Corn syrup consists mostly of glucose. To make it sweeter and more similar in taste to regular table sugar (sucrose), some of that glucose is converted to fructose using enzymes.

Different types of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) provide varying proportions of fructose.

For example, while HFCS 90 — the most concentrated form — contains 90% fructose, the most commonly used type, HFCS 55, consists of 55% fructose and 42% glucose.

HFCS 55 is similar to sucrose (regular table sugar), which is 50% fructose and 50% glucose.

SUMMARY

High-fructose corn syrup is produced from corn (maize) starch, which is further refined to produce syrup. The most common type has a fructose-to-glucose ratio similar to table sugar.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup vs. Regular Sugar

There are only tiny differences between HFCS 55 — the most common type of high-fructose corn syrup — and regular sugar.

A major difference is that high-fructose corn syrup is liquid — containing 24% water — whereas table sugar is dry and granulated.

In terms of chemical structure, the fructose and glucose in high-fructose corn syrup are not bound together like in granulated table sugar (sucrose).

Instead, they float separately alongside each other.

These differences do not affect nutritional value or health properties.

In your digestive system, sugar is broken down into fructose and glucose — so corn syrup and sugar end up looking exactly the same.

Gram for gram, HFCS 55 has slightly higher levels of fructose than regular sugar. The difference is very small and not particularly relevant from a health perspective.

Of course, if you compared regular table sugar and HFCS 90, which has 90% fructose, regular sugar would be far more desirable, as excessive consumption of fructose can be very harmful.

However, HFCS 90 is rarely used — and then only in tiny amounts due to its extreme sweetness.

SUMMARY

High-fructose corn syrup and table sugar (sucrose) are almost identical. The main difference is that the fructose and glucose molecules are bound together in table sugar.

Effects on Health and Metabolism

The main reason why sugar-based sweeteners are unhealthy is because of the large amount of fructose they supply.

The liver is the only organ that can metabolize fructose in significant amounts. When your liver gets overloaded, it turns the fructose into fat.

Some of that fat can lodge in your liver, contributing to fatty liver.

High fructose consumption is also linked to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

High-fructose corn syrup and regular sugar have a very similar blend of fructose and glucose — with a ratio of about 50:50.

Therefore, you would expect the health effects to be largely the same — which has been confirmed numerous times.

When comparing equal doses of high-fructose corn syrup and regular sugar, research shows that there's no difference in feelings of fullness, insulin response, leptin levels, or effects on body weight.

Thus, sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are exactly the same from a health perspective.

SUMMARY

Many studies show that sugar and high-fructose corn syrup have similar effects on health and metabolism. Both are harmful when consumed in excess.

Added Sugar Is Bad — Fruit Isn’t

Though excessive fructose from added sugar is unhealthy, you should not avoid eating fruit.

Fruit are whole foods, with plenty of fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants. It’s very difficult to overeat fructose if you're only getting it from whole fruit.

The negative health effects of fructose only apply to excessive added sugars, which are typical for a high-calorie, Western diet.

SUMMARY

Though fruit are among the richest natural sources of fructose, they’re associated with health benefits. Adverse health effects are only linked to an excessive intake of added sugar.

The Bottom Line

The most common form of high-fructose corn syrup, HFCS 55, is virtually identical to regular table sugar.

Evidence to suggest that one is worse than the other is currently lacking.

In other words, they’re both equally bad when consumed in excess.

Joe Leech is an Australian dietitian with a master's degree in nutrition and dietetics. He has published hundreds of evidence-based nutrition articles, both for Healthline and his website. Joe has also produced nutrition videos for Healthline's Youtube channel. He currently lives in Sweden and keeps fit by weight training regularly, eating mainly home-cooked meals and snowboarding in the winter.

Healthline covers all facets of physical and mental health openly and objectively because we’re here for the whole person — for your whole life. And because people come to us with unique challenges we listen closely and put empathy first across our organization. In everything from our personal perspectives to our commitment to inclusivity, you’ll see that we feel with you. 

We hope you tap into all of Healthline’s resources — from our health and wellness library and newsletters to our apps, podcasts, and communities.https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/high-fructose-corn-syrup-vs-sugar#production

LYCOPENE - There are several published studies that evaluate whether lycopene in tomato products or supplements could have protective effects against prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, there is not enough evidence to say that lycopene provides such health benefits. Lycopene is a carotenoid − a natural pigment that gives some vegetables and fruits their red color. It is an antioxidant. Tomatoes provide about 80% of the lycopene in the US diet. Any beneficial effects from lycopene might actually be related to other antioxidants in the natural diet. There is interest in the possible role of lycopene in helping prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. Some studies have associated high lycopene blood concentrations with reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular disease. One study suggested that lower blood concentrations of lycopene were associated with early atherosclerosis in men.

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Lycopene

What's Lycopene?

Mary Elizabeth May

Poison Control

The Bottom Line

Lycopene is a carotenoid − a natural pigment that gives some vegetables and fruits their red color.

There are several published studies that evaluate whether lycopene in tomato products or supplements could have protective effects against prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease.

However, there is not enough evidence to say that lycopene provides such health benefits. 

The Full Story

Lycopene is a carotenoid − a natural pigment that gives some vegetables and fruits their red color. It is an antioxidant (a substance that protects against cell damage).

Tomatoes provide about 80% of the lycopene in the US diet.

Tomatoes processed with high heat contain lycopene in a form more usable by the body than in raw tomatoes; however, heat processing can destroy other nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

These are also antioxidants.

Synthetic lycopene is categorized as "generally recognized as safe" by the US Food and Drug Administration, but "safe" does not mean "effective".

Does lycopene lower the risk of prostate cancer? The answer is unclear.

In 2007, the World Cancer Research Fund reported that a diet high in fruits and vegetables might help reduce the risk of cancer, including lycopene for prostate cancer.

Supplemental lycopene for prevention of prostate cancer has been studied in a few randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

A study that combined the results of these RCTs concluded that there was not enough evidence to support the use of lycopene supplements to prevent prostate cancer.

The men in the studies did not have improvement in primary outcomes (incidence of prostate cancer and death from prostate cancer) or in secondary outcomes like changes in prostate symptoms or changes in blood concentrations of prostate specific antigen (PSA, a protein produced by the prostate gland that is often elevated in prostate cancer).

Some research suggests that any beneficial effects from lycopene might actually be related to other antioxidants in the natural diet.

There is interest in the possible role of lycopene in helping prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) that can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke.

Some studies have associated high lycopene blood concentrations with reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

One study suggested that lower blood concentrations of lycopene were associated with early atherosclerosis in men.

However, study results are mixed and most studies did not examine taking lycopene alone.

The body utilizes lycopene in supplements about as easily as that in food. Daily supplements of up to 120 mg of lycopene have been taken safely for up to 1 year.

The appropriate dose of lycopene depends on several factors such as the user’s age and health. Some people have developed allergic skin reactions such as rashes from lycopene.

Lycopene is possibly unsafe when used during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

One study of a specific lycopene supplement (LycoRed) suggested that taking lycopene 2 mg daily starting at 12-20 weeks of pregnancy and continuing until delivery might increase the rates of premature births and low birth weights.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid lycopene other than that in food. There is no known safe or effective dose for lycopene in children.

·         Check with all your healthcare providers before taking lycopene. Tell them about all supplements you are taking.

·         Do not take lycopene supplements during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

·         Do not take lycopene if you are sensitive or allergic to tomatoes or lycopene-containing supplements.

·         “Natural” products are not necessarily safe and the dose is important. Follow directions on product labels.

·         Use only USP-Verified herbal and supplement products.

This Really Happened

Case 1. A 61-year-old woman consumed 2 liters of tomato juice daily for several years and developed orange discoloration of her skin. Although there was evidence of lycopene and fatty deposits in the liver, there was no measurable liver damage. After 3 weeks on a diet free of tomato juice, the orange discoloration faded.

Case 2. A 2-year-old boy swallowed one tablet of lycopene 10 mg. His mother called Poison Control and was advised that no adverse effects were expected. When Poison Control checked with the child’s mother the next day, the boy had not developed symptoms. 

If you suspect someone has swallowed lycopene and is having a problem, do not make the person vomit. Immediately check the webPOISONCONTROL^® online tool for help or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Mary Elizabeth May, RN, BA, MPH
Certified Specialist in Poison Information

https://www.poison.org/articles/lycopene-171