If you have been on my newsletter list for years now, then you have probably read my reports on high fructose corn syrup (hfcs). There is a growing opinion that hfcs has been one of the many reasons why our obesity rate has been on the rise. There is some evidence that suggests that hfcs can't be broken down by the body very well and thus is left to be turned into fat.
Supporters for hfcs state there has been a big misunderstanding. Sugar and hfcs have nutritionally the same value and there is nothing wrong with it. The reason hfcs is so prominent now is that it is more cost-effective than sugar. If companies stop using hfcs than the cost of a lot of consumer goods will increase.
Whether you are pro or con against hfcs (I think I am more con than pro, I use products that contain hfcs very sparingly), the usage of hfcs is at an all-time 20 year low. There is a strong wave of people that feel hfcs is very, very bad and it is shown by the lack of recent consumption.
Well, the manufacturers aren't taking any chances. They are launching a campaign to change the name from high fructose corn syrup to corn sugar. They feel it is a more appealing name and will help consumers better understand what it is about. Now, it could take the FDA up to 2 years to change the name but that doesn't mean they can't change it in advertising campaigns.
Look for new campaigns that promote corn sugar. There is already a website, www.cornsugar.com, that has been created to provide helpful facts about corn sugar and how safe it is. So, if you are against hfcs don't be fooled by this new corn sugar campaign. Ultimately, the bottom line is that you want to reduce your consumption of any sugars whether it be hfcs, corn sugar, corn syrup, or anything. If you do that, you will be better off in the long run.
1 comment:
Thank you for the post. I am passing it around. =)
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