Another Name for Sugar – High Fructose Corn Syrup

Would you think that this healthy vegetable could be converted into something unhealthy?

When glancing at a list of ingredients, many of the words are not simply unfamiliar but completely unknown to the average consumer. This being the case, checking a list of ingredients seems an almost futile exercise as many of the foods listed are unheard of. When it comes to the various forms of sugar in food, the inability to recognise ingredients can be a huge concern for the health-conscious consumer.
The amount of sugar in store-bought products is worrying enough. However, another issue is that consumers very often don’t realise that products frequently contain more than one type of sugar. One of the many varieties of sugar is known as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Do not be deceived by the name; being derived from corn starch does not make this a healthier alternative to sugar. The entire production process for HFCS is completely unnatural, requiring several complicated steps.

The process begins with breaking down the corn starch by adding various enzymes. The corn starch is then further modified in order to raise its percentage of fructose, since it is this fructose which contributes to the high levels of sweetness.

Despite the expense of this conversion, it is more economical than the price of ordinary table sugar. This is one of the reasons why HFCS features in so many drinks, cereals and snacks. Another reason is that HFCS is more soluble than ordinary sugar, making it an attractive choice for companies producing various drinks.

Possible dangers

In comparing HFCS to other forms of sugar, when it is ingested, it travels directly to the liver where it becomes fat. As an additional problem, it does not, unlike other carbohydrates, cause the pancreas to create insulin.

The outcome of this is that any food with HFCS immediately gets converted into fat, and to add insult to injury, you are left with the feeling of being unsatisfied. Research in this area has shown that HFCS leads to faster weight gain than ordinary sugar. It also increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and can cause liver damage.

All this really means is that when glancing down a list of ingredients, try to avoid products where HFCS features high on the list. It is possible to replace cereals loaded with HFCS with a healthy mix of rolled oats and fresh cut fruit to give yourself a sweet treat.

Fruits like watermelon, for example, are extremely versatile, and will give you more than just a burst of sweetness, being full of vitamins.

It is difficult to avoid sugar completely, but when possible try to avoid HFCS since the processing it goes through makes it an altogether unhealthy option.

:: Image via stevendepolo

Some healthier sweet options:
4 Reasons To Eat Pomegranate During the Jewish New Year
5 Good Reasons to Eat Watermelon this Summer
Organic Honey or Mass Produced – Which Do You Buy?

Author: Naomi Ben-David

Naomi interned at Green Prophet during the summer of 2010. She grew up in Australia with a chiropractor mom who introduced her to various forms of alternative medicine. Her mother was forever pointing out the healthy food choices in the supermarket, or attempted to make it from scratch at home in order to avoid the preservatives and additives in the food. Naomi’s mother’s influence has stayed with her, impacting the food and medical choices she makes to this day. She is currently pursuing a career in writing.

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