High fructose corn syrup is made from corn and contains no artificial or synthetic ingredients. It is a common sweetener and is made by changing sugar in cornstarch to fructose, a form of sugar. It is a combination of fructose and glucose. It is cheaper than sugar and has a long shelf life, so it has become a popular ingredient for soft drinks and processed foods. High fructose corn syrup is nearly identical in composition to table sugar. However, its role in leading to obesity remains controversial.
History
Early research suggested that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) could lead to obesity, but recent research suggests it is no different from other sweeteners and is not a root cause of obesity, according to Katherine Zeratsky, a Mayo Clinic nutritionist. She recommends that because more research is needed, moderation is the best way to deal with HFCS and other sweeteners. That would include limiting processed foods, drinking less soda and avoiding foods or beverages that contain added sweeteners.
Research
A 2007 study by the University of Maryland Center for Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy, reported in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, also concluded that there is not enough research to show that high fructose corn syrup made people fatter than consuming other sweeteners.
Sweetness
High fructose corn syrup has virtually the same sweetness as sugar, according to SweetSurprise.com, which reports that contrary to its name, high fructose corn syrup is not high in fructose. It is half fructose, the same as sugar. Advocates of the corn syrup say that because it is composed similarly to sugar, it is no more or less healthier than sugar and that the human body cannot tell the difference when it is ingested.
Mercury
Other research has suggested that HFCS contained mercury in commercial food and beverage products when sampled. However, those studies have been disputed. Critics say it is hard for people to tell if their soda or snack food contains HFCS made from mercury. But advocates note that many mercury-free HFCS ingredients exist in products and say that more food companies should become aware of these ingredients.
Usage
HFCS usage dropped between 1999 and 2005 because bottled water and diet soft drinks began growing in popularity, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Sweet Surprise.com reports that this occurred at a time when obesity rates continue to rise, so HFCS cannot necessarily be blamed for high obesity rates in the U.S.
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