The Truth About High Fructose Corn Syrup

October 02, 2008 by
Michelle L Devon (Michy)  
Michelle L Devon (Michy)
Michelle L Devon (Michy)
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Hfcs  |  Syrup  |  Corn Syrup  |  High Fructose Corn Syrup  |  Fructose  |  The Truth

Is it Really as Safe as Sugar?

Recently, I've seen several commercials cropping up about the safety and 'truth' about high fructose corn syrup. These ads are likely in response to many of the all-natural fruit juice advertisements, which state that many processed fruit juices contain high fructose corn syrup, and say
 this in such a way that it appears to be a bad thing. When compared with all natural, 100% fruit juice, high fructose corn syrups would be a 'bad thing', just as added sugar would be when compared the same way.

Still, the advertisements on behalf of the high fructose corn syrup attempt to sway public opinion to believe that high fructose corn syrup is, '...made from corn, has the same calories as sugar or honey, and it's fine in moderation.' I suppose for most people, most things are likely 'safe' in moderation, but I also know processed foods, particularly those with high fructose corn syrup, were on my list of no-nos from my doctor.

Armed with this information and some curiosity, I decided to discover what the problems with high fructose corn syrup are, compared to sugar, and learn whether or not high fructose corn syrup really is 'safe'.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) - How It's Made

Yes, the advertisements are correct in stating that at the base, HFCS is made from corn. However, it's not naturally made from corn the way sugar is naturally extracted from sugar cane or beets. HFCS is made by taking corn starch and processing it with at least three different enzymes and heating and processing, which in turn changes the molecular structure. In other words, HFCS is genetically altered food. If you seek to avoid artificial and/or genetically enhanced foods, then anything containing HFCS would need to be avoided.

High Fructose Corn Syrup Vs. Sugar

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Lori Bee is right in her post below: HFCS stimulates the appetite. And, Carol, you're right too. It is found in almost all salad dressings. I can't even eat the Chick Fil A sauce with my nuggets because it's in that. Good article.
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Posted on 06/23/2009 at 12:06:44 PM

It's hard to avoid high fructose corn syryp but I definitely try to limit it. I ditched my favorite bread because it had it in it. Thanks for thsi informative article!
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Posted on 04/08/2009 at 4:04:15 AM

Thanks for this. Sounds like wicked stuff. I think it's also found in some salad dressings.
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Posted on 02/14/2009 at 6:02:50 AM

Great article! The first time I saw the ads on TV, I began questioning "how bad is it really? UGGH! I can't believe I almost debated that! Another thing I am totally against is fake sugars, like Splenda! Can't stand their marketing practices and AHH! I hate it when they put it in foods for kids! Drives me nuts to see see parents opting for a virtually nutrient empty Hawaiian Punch, but because it has splends in it; they think they are giving their child something wonderful! Sorry to spin off topic!
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Posted on 01/31/2009 at 5:01:47 PM

*Claps* I debated writing this the first time I saw the ads, but was too lazy to research. Very well done. :)
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Posted on 01/26/2009 at 8:01:23 AM

Excellent article. It's sickening how I now have to read the labels of everything when I go grocery shopping just to try to avoid HFCS,
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Posted on 01/25/2009 at 5:01:09 AM

Great article. Thank You!
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Posted on 01/24/2009 at 5:01:36 PM

helluva an article, Michy (TM)--and yeah, many years ago got hip to how much HFCS was being pumped into the American grocery stores-always have sorta had a finger on the pulse of nutrition on the whole and personally---and like many things, persons, companies, industries, etc., people are gonna hide what they have to hide and tell what they have to tell---HFCS industry is no different-problem is the HFCS wave has grown so large for decades, now, that it's nearly impossible to stem its devestating tide---I say what God made is better than what man made, and what man made (HFCS) is very likely doing damage to men.
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Posted on 01/09/2009 at 3:01:54 AM

To suggest that there is "genetic engineering" that occurs in the production of high-fructose corn syrup is as absurd as suggesting that your mom genetically engineered your food when she cooked it. For something to be considered "genetically engineered," it must be alive or the products of the engineering (i.e., altered genes) must be inserted into another living organism. (Such as adding fish genes to corn.) Because the production of the corn syrup involves heat and cooking, the genes will naturally break down in the process. (As will the genes of any living thing exposed to enough heat). Throwing around the term "genetic engineering" is fear-mongering and unneccessary.
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Posted on 01/08/2009 at 3:01:14 PM

Here is a link from the New York Times that discusses the health effects of high-fructose corn syrup: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/does-fructose-make-you-fatter/ It says, "The bottom line of this study is that fructose very quickly gets made into fat in the body."
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Posted on 01/08/2009 at 3:01:23 PM

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