Is Your Food Genetically Modified?
Humans prefer sweet and satisfying foods, so it’s not surprising to hear genetically modified corn began because of the sweet taste. Genetically modified sweet corn has been sold in supermarkets since the 1960s. Without proper food labels, consumers cannot tell if they are eating these modified foods. Corn in particular has an interesting past that shows how we have used science to create sweeter food.
In the 1400′s corn of multiple colours was “central to the diet of people living throughout Mexico and the Americas.” 1 The colours surprised European settlers and by 1779 sweet yellow corn had caught their attention. The sweet corn won over the more bitter red, black and blue corn, that we now know is rich in anthocyanins. “Anthocyanins have the potential to fight cancer, calm inflammation, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, protect the aging brain, and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.” 1 This corn is still available but is usually reserved for decoration.