The Truth About High-Fructose Corn Syrup
The Truth About High-Fructose Corn Syrup – You’ve heard a lot about it and now it’s time to get the truth about high-fructose corn syrup. Check out this video to learn more.
Expert: Amy Hendel, R-PA, Health Coach Health Coach, Author of “The 4 Habits of Healthy Families”
Transcript
The sweet truth? High-fructose corn syrup isn’t the singular sugar behind America’s obesity epidemic.
High fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, is a natural sweetener and preservative made from corn. Introduced in the 1970s, HFCS is now a fixed ingredient in products like: soft drinks, baked goods, spaghetti sauces, yogurt, and canned and frozen fruits. Because it’s the prominent sweetener in our food, high-fructose corn syrup gets a bad rap.
In recent decades, rising rates of obesity have corresponded with increased use of HFCS, and many medical professionals have been quick to notice the link. But in reality, obesity results from an imbalance of calories eaten and calories burned, and recent decades have also seen an increase in sedentary activities coupled with an increase in calorie consumption.
The reality is that there’s no concrete evidence that links high fructose corn syrup to weight gain, though Americans are eating too much sugar in general. In fact, the chemical makeup of HFCS is composed of either 42 percent or 55 percent fructose, with the remaining sugars being glucose.
Table sugar, meanwhile, is made of 50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose. In other words, the composition of the two sweeteners is nearly identical, and the body cannot tell the difference between them as they are metabolized it should be noted that high fructose corn syrup is free of artificial and synthetic ingredients, and, like sugar, meets the FDA’s requirements for use of the term “natural”.
It’s important to remember, however, that any kind of sugar should be used in moderation. The dietary guidelines for Americans suggest limiting sugar consumption to 32 grams daily, based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Most women and children should even target less calories daily and therefore less sugar. Doing this, coupled with eating an overall healthy balanced diet and exercising regularly, are the keys to fighting obesity.
So yes, you can have your HFCS-sweetened, small piece of cake just keep it to an occasional treat!
Last Modified: 2012-11-17
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
