Changeover to Corn Syrup

• Traditionally, sugar made from sugar cane or sugar beets was the sweetener of choice in the United States. Today, consumers notice that high fructose corn syrup, which is produced by processing cornstarch inside the corn kernel, is appearing on more and more labels for processed food, particularly in soda and fruit drinks. One reason for this move away from sugar is that corn syrup extends a product's shelf life. In addition, the production of corn syrup is less expensive than sugar.
  
  

Suspected Link between High Fructose Corn Syrup and Obesity

• Obesity rates have skyrocketed in recent years, and scientists noticed that as Americans got heavier their consumption of high fructose corn syrup, mainly in the form of soda and sweetened fruit drinks, also increased. A 2004 study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that the current epidemic of obesity may indeed be linked to the rise in consumption of high fructose corn syrup.
  
  

Later Studies

• A later (2008) study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that high fructose corn syrup is not any less healthy than sugar. According to the Journal, "although increased intake of calories from high fructose corn syrup is important to examine, the health effect of overall trends in added caloric sweeteners should not be overlooked." Both sugar and corn syrup are made up of glucose and fructose, two forms of sugar.
  
  

Moderation is the Key

• Although research is inconclusive, it appears that to prevent obesity, consumers should use moderation when consuming foods containing either high fructose corn syrup or sugar. These foods are typically lower in nutritional value and higher in calories, which promotes obesity. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans put forth by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that consumers choose beverages and foods to moderate their intake of sugars. The concern is that obesity has been associated with high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, arthritis and breathing problems.
  
  

Concerned Consumers Take Action

• As research into the matter of corn syrup vs. sugar continues, consumers concerned with maintaining healthy nutrition and avoiding obesity can take action by limiting foods with added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. To avoid excess sugar in the diet, choose fruit over fruit juice which contains more sugar than whole fruit. Parents should not replace milk with sweetened beverages in their children's diet, because such drinks are often higher in calories and lower in nutritional value.