The 411 on High-Fructose Corn Syrup

by WiredBerries Editors — September 4, 2007

Lately, High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is acquiring quite a rap sheet for the crimes it commits against the human body. Even so, HFCS is currently found in many foods and beverages. In fact, it has become the sweetener of choice for many food manufacturers because it is cheaper, sweeter, and more easily blended into beverages than table sugar.

But while it may be a great option for a company's bottom line--it's not great for our own bottoms! HFCS has been strongly linked to obesity. A new study has also found a significant link between HFCS and diabetes.

Chi-Tang Ho, Ph.D., professor of food science at Rutgers University conducted chemical tests among 11 carbonated soft drinks containing HFCS. He found 'astonishingly high' levels of reactive carbonyls in those beverages. These undesirable and highly reactive compounds associated with "unbound" fructose and glucose molecules are believed to cause tissue damage, says Ho.

Ho recommends eliminating or at least reducing your HFCS consumption. That may be easier said that done. HFCS is hiding out in a wide variety of foods and beverages, so you'll have to check labels if you want to avoid it. If you don't have time for constant label checking--it's nice to know that most quality health food stores tend to sell products free of HFCS.

At the very least, replace drinking regular sodas (usually loaded with HFCS) in favor of healthier alternatives like water, light fruit juice, or herbal teas.