Comments on: High Fructose Corn Syrup by Cathy

By: Mark Salinas

Mark Salinas — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:19:54 +0000

@Mark, There have been many, many individuals from all backgrounds that have similar concerns regarding HFCS. I think we need to obviously be aware of what we are putting into our bodies as we strive to be healthier.You have provided a very thorough response with valid points. My family does try to avoid sugars including HFCS. Thank you for your feedback.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:32:39 +0000

I can’t believe that a Ph.D. in chemical engineering is buying into the HFCS hysteria. It’s just sugar. Cut down on all sugar. There’s nothing unquely bad about HFCS. By demonizing it, you allow people to switch to other sugar types and feel like they’re accomplishing something good for their health, which they aren’t.

The reason HFCS is “seemingly everywhere” is that sugar is used in all kinds of cooking. If Americans actually did any amount of home cooking anymore they’d know that. Making spaghetti sauce for kids? Add a bit of sugar. This used to be common knowledge. Even adults like savory foods with some sugar. That restaurant food you like? It has sugar, albeit not HFCS. And in baked goods like bread crumbs there is a chemical reason (ahem, I need to be telling this to a Ph.D.?) for the sugar.

Why is it HFCS and not other sugars? Because it’s cheap, and because for industrial level food production, the entire supply chain needs to be set up to supply large amounts of consistenly behaving ingredients to food producers, from farm to factory. This is true in any industry. Does the chemical engineering industry just sort of change and reformulate chemicals on the fly before shipping them to customers to use in manufacturing processes? The sugar could be another sort of sugar, but whatever it is, it would end up being standardized and produced in large quantities to a consistent quality, just like HFCS.

Here’s the New York Times debunking form two years ago (jeez, how long does it take to kill these memes off?):

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/business/yourmoney/02syrup.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all

(Note on that article: Ms. Warner sourced it by picking up the phone and calling the original researchers. How did you source your post? By reading a few blogs?)

By: John Horsfield

John Horsfield — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:12:14 +0000

I thought I was the only one who noticed this stuff in everything. What most people should consider is what is the motivation behind using this altered product (HFCS), as with most changes made by businesses it is money. HFCS is sweeter per gram than other sugars so less is used in the manufacturing process, not much less, but enough to squeeze plenty more profit of the same kind of soda or anything else containing it. Its profit over health in the case of HFCS.
Also munchkins and music, there is a difference between fructose, which is the naturally occuring form of sugar in fruit. Which in moderation our bodies can handle better than a processed sugar contained in HFCS. Also there is much less overall sugar in an apple than in a can of soda so the reduced volume of sugar play a roll in that.

By: Munchkins and Music

Munchkins and Music — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:19:10 +0000

Very interseting! So is there a difference between high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup? Or is it the same thing? Just wondering because I’ve heard it is in everything now, but only heard it called corn syrup.

By: Annette

Annette — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:21:53 +0000

we stay away as much as possible! It makes me mad when I find it in healthy 100 percent whole wheat high fiber bread!

By: Vered - MomGrind

Vered - MomGrind — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:58:24 +0000

I stay away from it. Just to be on the safe side. I buy at Whole Foods and mostly organic. They don’t sell stuff with HFCS.

By: Maricris

Maricris — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:53:37 +0000

The commercial about it is trying to glamorized HFCS. I guess it is trying to dispel any negative implication brought to it. Well, we should all know better. right?

btw, I quoted you on my post this week. Come take a look and see if it’s something you can announce here too Thanks!!!

By: christinekambo

christinekambo — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:37:05 +0000

Thankfully, it’s nowhere near as prevalent here in Australia as it is in the U.S. Most people don’t even know what it is!

Did HFCS grow that way? I wonder…..!

Thank you both for such valuable information.

By: Audra Krell

Audra Krell — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:02:53 +0000

I just saw the corn commercial for the first time on Friday. I literally thought it was a satire…thanks for this timely post. Today I’ve started thinking about how much I’m eating and drinking with HFCS in it and it’s not pretty.

By: Diana's Body Journey

Diana's Body Journey — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:37:34 +0000

I’m glad you talked about this! I know basics about what’s good and not, but key stuff to avoid for those of us that don’t eat fresh all the time. Thanks!