In Worries About Sweeteners, Think of All Sugars

[HuckleB]

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/in-worries-about-sweeteners-think-of-all-sugars/

"Are you worried about high-fructose corn syrup in your diet?

If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Today, about 55 percent of Americans list the infamous corn sweetener among their food-safety worries, right behind mad cow disease and mercury in seafood, according to the consumer research firm NPD Group.

As a result, food makers are reworking decades-old recipes, eliminating the corn syrup used to sweeten foods like ketchup and crackers, and replacing it with beet or cane sugar. To counter the backlash, the Corn Refiners Association last week suggested changing the name of the ingredient to “corn sugar,” hoping a new moniker would help rebuild the product’s image.

But most nutrition scientists say that consumer anxiety about the sweetener is misdirected. Only about half of the added sugar in the American diet comes from corn sources. All added sugars, they say, including those from sugar cane and beets, are cause for concern. Today, sugar calories now account for 16 percent of the calories Americans consume, a 50 percent increase from the 1970s. High sugar consumption has been linked to obesity and other health concerns.

..."


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A nice review of the issue.

:hi:

[Ozymanithrax]

1. But if Corn Syrup isn't Frankenfood, we will not be appropriatly frightened. n/t

[cleanhippie]

2. Its not that simple, there IS legitimate reason for concern.

http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/91/22K07/

[HuckleB]

4. As the Times article notes, that study is being questioned, and it hasn't been replicated.

[cleanhippie]

5. Correct, but thats how good science works.

The data will be poured over and evaluated via peer review and if held up to scrutiny, tests replicated to verify the results.

My point is, that its not just unfounded hysteria, yet.

And its important to note: ""Our findings lend support to the theory that the excessive consumption of high-fructose corn syrup found in many beverages may be an important factor in the obesity epidemic," Avena said."

Notice the wording...MAY be an important factor. No one is calling for a HFCS ban, yet.

[HuckleB]

7. When the only data that supports the hysteria is this preliminary, the hysteria is unfounded.

[cleanhippie]

9. I have to disagree.

This particular study is preliminary, but studies of HFCS have been going on for some time with resluts supporting a link between HFCS and healt issues.

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/79/4/537

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/26/AR2009012601831.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15051594

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070823094819.htm


Just a sample, but I think you may see my point? Its not unfounded hysteria. I agree that more research needs to be done, but this is NOT junk science and unfounded claims.

[HuckleB]

12. Three of your links appear to be about the same study, which was addressed in the OP.

The primary researcher noted that the take away from the study should not have been to be concerned specifically about HFCS, but about sugars in general.

[cleanhippie]

14. You sure? The dates of all of these precede the latest study.

2009, 2007 and 2004. The new one was completed in March 2010.

[HuckleB]

16. There are two re: 2004, which is an older study whose lead author is inrterviewed in the NYT piece.

He notes that the actual outcome of the study was misrepresented in the press. The 2007 study is of the type that would have to be considered preliminarily prelimary at best. It really says nothing about HFCS and humans, much less animals of any kind. The other piece is about mercury, which may or may not be a concern. The question comes down to how much mercury, and then how much mercury compared to other foods.

[izquierdista]

3. We could switch to stevia

That would be a healthy change for all concerned. More info at: http://www.stevia.com/Stevia_Article/Frequently_asked_questions_FAQ/2269


on edit: Except for big agribusiness. That kind of a switch would be unhealthy for a lot of their marketing.

[Codeine]

15. Stevia tastes completely awful.

I'm not a huge fan of the flavor of HFCS over sugar (it's acceptable, but I prefer cane sugar) but I've tasted stevia and it's horrid -- extremely floral or anise-y. Just awful.

[damntexdem]

6. Think of xylitol, which has some beneficial properties.

When used in moderation. Some side effects when overused.

[HuckleB]

8. There are plenty of options, but limiting sugar intake is probably the best option.

[cleanhippie]

10. I agree 100%

[BuddhaGirl]

13. xylitol tastes closest to sugar, imo

it also has anti-bacterial properties - it's now in some toothpastes, mouth rinses, nasal sprays, etc. :thumbsup:

[BadgerKid]

11. Nah, I'm not particularly worried: sucrose + fruit = HFCS.

I think people should generally be more aware and concerned (as many on DU are) about what goes into their mouths. How this gets accomplished is the heart of the matter.

Corporations aren't going to be sympathetic; the worst of them (or it is all of them?) will do just what needs to be done legally and otherwise maximize profit. Public knowledge about trans fats, for example, have gotten food manufacturers to remove them from many (not all) food items. We have to continue to MAKE them do what we want as best as we can.

Oh, and :hi: to y'all

[HuckleB]

17. A couple of critiques of the Princeton study noted in the NYT piece.

Is that right? HFCS makes people fat?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2010/03/is_tha...

Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Worse Than Regular Sugar?
http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=19

[HuckleB]

18. Kick for accuracy.