Spring Break
Sugary Substance or Sweet Devil? The Truth Behind High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Jenni Hoffman
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Student Life
Since the infusion of high-fructose corn syrup into the American diet, considerable research has been conducted on the effects of this sugary substance on the human body.
Many health-conscious consumers staunchly criticize this product, but how much does the average consumer actually know about this product's effects on their health?
Corn, one of America's leading crops, extends the shelf life of most products and is cheaper to produce and refine than cane sugar. It comes as no surprise then that corn shows up in almost every product on the shelves, ranging from Styrofoam to bread to vitamins.
High-fructose corn syrup is one of these products. It begins as cornstarch, which is then degraded via enzymes to form glucose. Following this process, another enzyme is used to catalyze the reaction of glucose molecules, eventually yielding a fructose product.
This process has been criticized as unnatural and unhealthy by many consumer advocacy groups and has faced intense scrutiny from the media. Negative claims against this product charge high-fructose corn syrup with responsibility for an increased risk of childhood diabetes in American children over the last decade as well as increasing numbers in the national obesity epidemic.
In order to address this issue and give high-fructose corn syrup a boost in public image, the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has launched an 18-month ad campaign advocating this product. The ad features two thin youths enjoying a popsicle while engaging in witty banter diminishing the harmful effects of high-fructose corn syrup. The message-when consumed in moderation, this substance has no negative effects on health.
These conflicting images of high-fructose corn syrup are enough to rile any consumer, but which group is right? Is this sweetener the cause of multiple social health problems, or is it perfectly safe for consumers?
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the answer is probably somewhere in the middle. The AMA recently announced that high-fructose corn syrup does not contribute to increased rates of obesity any more than other caloric sweeteners, but does present risk when consumed in mass quantities.
Michael Jacobson, the executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, confirmed this statement when he said, "The special harmfulness of high-fructose corn syrup has become one of those urban myths that sounds right, but is basically wrong. Nutritionally, high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose may be identical."
Moderation is the key to maintaining a healthy weight if one is unwilling or unable to commit to an organic lifestyle. It's good to know that banana popsicles, Cookout milkshakes and Dr. Pepper are okay to consume every once in a while, and that high-fructose corn syrup is less harmful than some previously imagined. Just enjoy these sweets in moderation, and you will be able to stay happy and healthy.
Many health-conscious consumers staunchly criticize this product, but how much does the average consumer actually know about this product's effects on their health?
Corn, one of America's leading crops, extends the shelf life of most products and is cheaper to produce and refine than cane sugar. It comes as no surprise then that corn shows up in almost every product on the shelves, ranging from Styrofoam to bread to vitamins.
High-fructose corn syrup is one of these products. It begins as cornstarch, which is then degraded via enzymes to form glucose. Following this process, another enzyme is used to catalyze the reaction of glucose molecules, eventually yielding a fructose product.
This process has been criticized as unnatural and unhealthy by many consumer advocacy groups and has faced intense scrutiny from the media. Negative claims against this product charge high-fructose corn syrup with responsibility for an increased risk of childhood diabetes in American children over the last decade as well as increasing numbers in the national obesity epidemic.
In order to address this issue and give high-fructose corn syrup a boost in public image, the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has launched an 18-month ad campaign advocating this product. The ad features two thin youths enjoying a popsicle while engaging in witty banter diminishing the harmful effects of high-fructose corn syrup. The message-when consumed in moderation, this substance has no negative effects on health.
These conflicting images of high-fructose corn syrup are enough to rile any consumer, but which group is right? Is this sweetener the cause of multiple social health problems, or is it perfectly safe for consumers?
According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the answer is probably somewhere in the middle. The AMA recently announced that high-fructose corn syrup does not contribute to increased rates of obesity any more than other caloric sweeteners, but does present risk when consumed in mass quantities.
Michael Jacobson, the executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, confirmed this statement when he said, "The special harmfulness of high-fructose corn syrup has become one of those urban myths that sounds right, but is basically wrong. Nutritionally, high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose may be identical."
Moderation is the key to maintaining a healthy weight if one is unwilling or unable to commit to an organic lifestyle. It's good to know that banana popsicles, Cookout milkshakes and Dr. Pepper are okay to consume every once in a while, and that high-fructose corn syrup is less harmful than some previously imagined. Just enjoy these sweets in moderation, and you will be able to stay happy and healthy.
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