Many beekeepers utilize high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for supplemental feeding purposes, particularly during spring requeening, when winter stores are depleted, or during inclement weather conditions.
HFCS is known for its stability and ability to prevent crystallization, in addition to being significantly cheaper than sucrose.
New research has discovered that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contains HMF as an unintended by-product of heating the sugar.
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HFCS is bad for bees
Honey bees find most of their carbohydrates through natural foraging and pollen collection; however, supplementary feeding may sometimes be necessary or recommended (Jachimowicz and El Sherbiny 1975; Severson and Erikson 1984). Beekeepers commonly feed sucrose solution or inverted sugar syrup to their colonies as an additional carbohydrate source.
University of Illinois entomologists have recently conducted groundbreaking research that revealed feeding bees high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) weakens their natural immune system by decreasing levels of protective chemicals within their bodies, weakening their ability to defend against threats like Varroa mites and pesticides – both major threats to honeybee health.
Researchers discovered that when sugar is heated above 250degF, HMF forms. HMF is an allergenic compound which damages DNA and leads to cell death; as well as being known to affect humans. These discoveries could prove vitally important for commercial beekeepers as well as soft drink manufacturers and food producers who rely on HFCS sweeteners as sweeteners.
HFCS is bad for humans
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an artificial sweetener derived from corn starch. Used in many processed food and beverages, HFCS may be advertised as a healthier alternative to cane sugar; however, as any added sugar does, HFCS adds empty calories without providing necessary nutrition.
Consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) increases your risk for heart disease, obesity and diabetes because insulin regulation becomes disrupted and more advanced glycation end products (AGEs), known to damage cells are produced.
HFCS may also cause digestive distress for people living with IBS; its indigestibility makes it more challenging than plain corn syrup to digest, so it would be wiser to avoid foods containing this product altogether.
HFCS is bad for the environment
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is an economical sweetener commonly found in many food and beverage products. Made from corn starch and processed chemically to release half of its molecules as fructose, HFCS offers food manufacturers an ideal sweetener that’s cheaper than sugar.
HFCS can be found in many processed food and beverages, such as sodas, packaged fruits, canned vegetables and condiments like ketchup. With similar sweetness levels to sugar and an extended shelf life than other sweeteners, HFCS offers great food-enhancing possibilities.
Studies show that over-consumption of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sugar can cause serious diseases, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol. Although these correlations exist between high consumption of HFCS and sugar and obesity/heart disease/diabetes/high cholesterol; their correlation does not prove causality – in addition all caloric sweeteners contribute calories such as agave nectar/fruit juice concentrate/maple syrup/sucrose etc (these sweeteners come from botanical sources as well).
HFCS is bad for beekeepers
Honey bees require carbohydrates to perform all their essential duties both inside their hives and when foraging for nectar and pollen from flowers. Honeybees collect this source through collecting honeydew and nectar from flowers; when their sources become limited due to human harvesting activities or when honey harvesting has depleted a colony’s supply, beekeepers may supplement bee feedings using inverted sugar syrup or high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Scientists conducting a study published in the biweekly American Chemical Society Journal have determined that commercial high fructose corn syrup used as bee feed contains potentially toxic levels of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), produced as a by-product from heat treatment of sucrose.
Researchers fed 10 bee colonies in an enclosed arena with either high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or sugar syrup (SS), while monitoring their health and behavior throughout. Results from the experiment demonstrated that bee colonies fed with HFCS containing 45% fructose produced higher amounts of honey-bee-made flavonoid formation than bee colonies fed SS alone, leading to significant drops in their ability to resist disease and parasites.
