It's Not Only About HFCS

http://webarchives.cdlib.org/sw1tx36512/http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/February08/Findings/HighFructose.htm

While doing a research homework for my Research Methods class last semester, on the link between high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and obesity, I found interesting facts about sugar, fructose and obesity. So today, I decided to make a post to clarify some facts about this over rated evil, HFCS.

If you've been to my blog before, you know that I talk a lot about sugar and its adverse effects on the body. So today I'll just add a little more to this subject.

Most American consumers don't know exactly what is the different between HFCS and sucrose (regular table sugar). Many of them may have heard that HFCS is the main cause of obesity in the United States. But is it viewed in the literature?


In 1970, HFCS represented less than 1% of all caloric sweeteners available for consumption in the US. But in 1980, HFCS accounted for 42% of added sugars in the US food industry. Today, HFCS represents more than half of all added sugars. This increase in HFCS consumptions is linked to the US obesity epidemic that also started to increase in 1980 and is still on the rise. However, we cannot state that HFCS is the unique cause of obesity in the US. There are few reasons why:

1. HFCS has the same sugars composition as other "benign" fructose-glucose sweeteners such as sucrose, honey and fruit juice concentrate, and dietary sources such as fruits and juices.
2. Increased caloric intake since 1970 was not due to added sugars (including HFCS) but rather to the increased consumption of all caloric nutrients, especially fats, flours and cereals. 
3. There is no longer an association between HFCS use and obesity in the US, since the consumption per capita of HFCS has declined while obesity rates continues to rise.
4. Fructose-glucose sweeteners are metabolized through the same pathways regardless of dietary intake. So it really does not matter if it comes from industrialized apple juice, refined sugar, pasteurized honey or HFCS, they are all metabolized the same way.

No one would disagree that HFCS can lead to weight gain if products sweetened with it are consumed in excess. No doubt that if HFCS is prohibited as a sweetener and is replaced with refined sugar, the only change for the consumers and the obesity rate would be the cost of a soda can (since cane sugar is much more expensive than corn syrup).

I wrote this article just to demystify the evilness of HFCS and make people see that sugar and HFCS is the same junk! They are both highly processed and refined and deprived of nutrients. So they are equally evil when it comes to obesity and metabolic diseases. They have the same impact on the body!!! So if you're are afraid of HFCS and are trying to avoid it at all costs, you should be equally concerned with white sugar, agave, industrial honey, etc... None of them have nutrients or fiber to help in the metabolic process, so they are equally bad! My tip is to watch for quantity and portions sizes which will make you healthier.