Manufacturers of high fructose corn syrup have been petitioning the US Food and Drug Administration for permission to change the name of their product to "corn sugar". They hope the name change will improve their image as the term "High Fructose Corn Syrup" has become increasingly associated with the obesity epidemic in the United States.
High Fructose Corn Syrup is a sweetener and preservative with a particularly high level of Fructose. It owes its popularity to the abundant supply of corn in the US, making it a cheaper option than traditional cane sugar. While the name "corn sugar" may have the connotation of a more natural product found in corn, High Fructose Corn Syrup is the product of cornstarch that has been altered in a laboratory and is not likely to be found in nature or, for that matter, in your kitchen. When is the last time you had "high fructose corn syrup" on your grocery list? This unnatural sweetener is yet another example of the enigmatic laboratory concocted ingredients found in just about every processed food product these days. It is found in a wide variety of foods including soft drinks, many processed foods, condiments and baked goods and has been linked to the rise in obesity in the US.
Although manufacturers of high fructose corn syrup argue their product is no less healthy than traditional sugars, it is important to be aware of what you are consuming and, whether it is high fructose corn syrup or "corn sugar", it is not the healthiest option available. Many processed foods containing high levels of sweeteners are low in nutritional value and high in calories. It is important to limit consumption of these foods as they are linked to obesity, which can lead to complications such as type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
No matter the name, the product remains the same, a high calorie unnatural sweetener and cheap preservative added to processed foods to make them more appealing. If you want a healthier option try fresh fruit, milk or fruits that have been canned in their own juices. Be aware even 100% fruit juice can contain high levels of sugar. Avoid processed foods and soft drinks whenever you can to limit your intake of artificial sweeteners and preservatives.
To learn more, check out these links:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/added-sugar/MY00845/NSECTIONGROUP=2
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