High-fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, is a popular but controversial sweetener and food preservative that's been linked to obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure and excess belly fat. It's a staple in fast food. You'll find it not just in sugary drinks and dessert treats, but also in unlikely items like salad dressings and condiments. Always read nutrition facts---ask for them if you don't see them---when eating at fast food restaurants so that you know just how much HFCS you're getting.
Soft Drinks
High-fructose corn syrup is the most common sweetener in soda and sugary, fruity drinks served by fast food restaurants in the United States. Manufacturers like HFCS because it's just as sweet as sugar but it's cheaper. The HFCS found in soft drinks is associated with diabetes and fatty liver disease.
Desserts
Pies, cookies, ice cream, yogurt and many of the other desserts and pastries you buy from fast food restaurants contain high-fructose corn syrup. In addition to being an inexpensive bulk sweetener, it helps preserve the freshness of the product for long periods of time. For frozen desserts, HFCS helps control the body, foaming, texture, shelf-life quality and freezing point.
Burger Buns
You might be surprised to learn HFCS is found in many breads. You may think you're biting into a hearty sandwich, but you're also getting a good dose of sugar too. HFCS helps baked goods, including burger buns, brown and retain flavor. In addition, HFCS assists in bread making through yeast fermentation.
Salad Dressing and Toppings
Salad dressings, toppings and sauces on fast food sandwiches, as well as condiments like ketchup and sweet and sour sauce, contain HFCS. Read the nutrition facts; HFCS is usually high on the ingredient list in these foods, which means the products have more of the sweetener than other content. HFCS is also used for its preservative qualities, allowing a food to stay stable and fresh for long periods of time.
References
- BMC Public Health: Sugar-Sweetened Carbonated Beverage Consumption Correlates with BMI, Waist Circumference, and Poor Dietary Choices in School Children
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: High-Fructose Corn Syrup: Is This What's for Dinner?
- American Medical Association: The Health Effects of High Fructose Syrup
- New York Times: Still Spooked by High-Fructose Corn Syrup
- Journal of Hepatology: Fructose Consumption as a Risk Factor for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Energy Intake, and Appetite Regulation
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