High-fructose Corn Syrup May Be Linked To Mass Deaths In Bee Colonies

[n2doc]

By James A. Foley
Apr 30, 2013 11:55 AM EDT

For years, commercial honey bee colonies around the world have reportedly been dying for no apparent reason, but researchers from the University of Illinois may have discovered why. The phenomenon called colony collapse disorder has been reported at commercial bee farms since as early as 2006, and the blame has largely rested with pesticides used to kill mites and other insects. But a new study indicates the true killer might be the high-fructose corn syrup which beekeepers have been feeding their colonies to supplement their honey, the natural staple food taken away from them.

According to a report by Phys.org, commercial honeybee operations began feeding bees high-fructose corn syrups in the 1970s because research then indicated it was safe for the bees. But as new pesticides have come into play as decades passed, the researchers say the bees' immunity response has been compromised.

The research does not suggest that high-fructose corn syrups are toxic to the bees, but that by eating a an artificial replacement for their natural honey, the bees are not being exposed to other compounds found in naturally in honey that can help bees fight off toxins like the ones in pesticides.

"The widespread apicultural use of honey substitutes, including high-fructose corn syrup, may thus compromise the ability of honey bees to cope with pesticides and pathogens and contribute to colony losses," the researches write in their abstract. They point to the enzyme p-coumaric, which is found in the bees' natural diet that helps strengthen the immune system.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/1667/20130430/high-fructose-corn-syrup-linked-mass-deaths-bee-colonies.htm

[FedUpWithIt All]

1. And most corn syrup is now made from GMOs

Corn syrup didn't seem to negatively affect the bees until the increase of GMO corn. Not hard to see a possible link there.

Clearly Monsanto saw it.

Monsanto Buys Out Leading Bee Research Firm

[global1]

2. And What Effect Does HFCS Have On Us Humans?......nt

[ananda]

3. HFCS is diabetes and cancer in a bottle.

..

[Aristus]

4. I'd comment on that, being a medical provider,

if it weren't for the fact that there seems to be a legion of trolls in GD with no other ostensible purpose than to castigate medical providers for stating what is dangerous, what is healthful, and what is equivocal regarding health.

I've heard: "Well, I would never go to someone as mean, cruel, hard-hearted and petty as you!"

And: "I don't comply with my doctor's treatment plan, because I know better than he does."

And: "I'll bet you're not even a medical provider! Nicotine isn't dangerous at all! And how dare you tell your patients that it is!"

And more...

So, simply put, HFCS is not good for you. We'll leave it at that.

[jeff47]

13. Ah yes, they're just trolls.

Thankfully, that means you don't have to answer questions like "not good for you based on what study?". That usually leads to embarrassing things like the troll having to explain fructose and HFCS aren't the same thing.

[hughee99]

5. They should stop drinking those over-sized sodas. n/t

[FarCenter]

6. The sugars in honey are primarily fructose and glucose in about the same ratio as HFCS

However, honey has a number of other carbohydrates and nutrients in it.

The lack of other nutrients besides fructose and glucose means HFCS is poor nutrition for bees. It is also empty calories for humans, as are sucrose and other sugars.

[Orrex]

7. Isn't this good news, actually?

I mean, if this is indeed the problem, then the solution doesn't seem too hard to imagine.

[TBA]

8. If you have any doubts about HFCS Read this

"Fat Chance" by Dr. Robert Lustig

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/01/08/an-excerpt-from-dr-robert-lustigs-fat-chance/


You will doubt no more.

[truedelphi]

9. There is not a single drop of HFCS that doesn't contain GM material

No one in industry lets this get out. i was asked to proof read a paper being submitted for peer review, and that is part of the information contained inside the paper.

Monsanto and other big Agri-interests DO NOT want the public to know this. Our little bee friends may not know it, but their internal organs are proving that that is the case.

[Buzz Clik]

11. ... and you state this despite all evidence to the contrary?

There is NOTHING to support the claim that GMOs have anything to do with this at all.

Read the article in the OP. You will find it full of useful knowledge.

[truedelphi]

15. I stated in in what I thought was a speculative way.

Most people don't know about the GM stuff being present in HFCS. I wanted them to know.

[caraher]

10. Did anyone actually read the paper?

The researchers attribute the problem not to any particular hazard of HFCS but with the use of any honey substitute to feed bees. That's why even the excerpt says the "use of honey substitutes, including high-fructose corn syrup, may thus compromise the ability of honey bees to cope with pesticides and pathogens." They don't say HFCS is the problem, but rather the use of honey substitutes.

I avoid HFCS in food myself and agree that it's a plague. But this problem is about depriving bees of honey, not the choice of substitute.

[Buzz Clik]

12. +1!!!

Why did you read the article? Would it not be easier to simply spout some crap consistent with some agenda?

Thank you, by the way. Your reaction is rare at DU.

[Buzz Clik]

14. Excellent find, n2doc.

There is excellent information to be found in that article, more than meets the eye, I think.