Study Of Corn Sweetener In Soda Stirs Up Controversy

[n2doc]

The makers of high fructose corn syrup have found themselves on the defensive — again.

Researchers at the University of Southern California have documented that samples of Pepsi and Coca-Cola sweetened with the stuff are delivering what they describe as "megadoses" of fructose. Their analysis shows the products contain about 20 percent more fructose than consumers have been led to believe.

And why is this a problem? If this study can be replicated, the industry may need to re-think its "corn-syrup-is-the-same-as-table-sugar" talking point.


You see, the corn syrup makers have always argued that their product is just like table sugar— a mix of fructose and glucose. That's why they recently asked FDA if they could change their name to corn sugar.

But fructose is the sweeter of the two sugars — and may be more conducive to weight gain, some studies show. So more fructose in these tested products might indicate differences.

Fair to say the study, published appropriately in the journal Obesity, is prompting a lot of discussion.

more

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/10/27/130867440/corn-sweetener-in-soda-study-stirs-up-controversy

[Chipper Chat]

1. Pepsi Throwback (made with real sugar)

was available in stores 2 months ago. Also "real" Dr. Pepper. I bought twenty 12-packs. I hate the aftertaste that corn syrup leaves after each swallow.

[hedgehog]

2. I don't drink a lot of soda, never have. A few years back, I noticed that

Pepsi tasted like I remembered Coke tasting, and vice versa. I suspect that when the recipes were altered to use corn syrup, the flavor changed more than people realized.

[MineralMan]

3. I drink, maybe, three or four "sodas" a year.

I consider them to be unhealthful, no matter what sweetener is in them. That's my solution. If I had children, they would get none.

[hlthe2b]

5. I am a connoisseur of loose teas--make all kinds of iced teas

and I drink them (and enjoy them) unsweetened. I haven't lost my sweet tooth, totally, but what a difference this has made. I think I may drink a diet soda once every few months when I am out and there isn't much of an option. I never drink HFCS soft drinks, though I fondly remember how sugared Coke, 7-up, and sprite used to taste like--as a young child.

[Odin2005]

9. I like sparkling (carbonated) iced green tea.

It has half the calories of pop, and has all the anti-oxidants of green tea, but also has the carbonation which I like.

Unfortunately I can't seem to find it in stores anymore. :(

[Crunchy Frog]

10. I mix fruit juice with soda water. I also like to get Mexican Coke once in awhile.

For my babies though, I just give 'em straight Coke in their bottles. :evilgrin:

[nenagh]

4. Thank you for posting this link...

[BuddhaGirl]

6. interesting - thanks for posting

HFCS is garbage. :puke:

[SheilaT]

7. I rarely drink sodas.

It's scary how many people drink several sodas every single day. Or those who drink many diet soft drinks every day, which is probably even worse than the real thing.

[BadgerKid]

8. It's simple: using fructose reduces costs. n/t

[laconicsax]

11. From the article:

Controversy aside, the important message here is that our love affair with ALL kinds of sugar is problematic. The more empty calories we consume, the more our collective waistlines expand.

So next time you go to grab a Starbucks muffin that boasts it's made without HFCS, remember the real boogeyman here is likely the calories — not the percentage of fructose inside.

[evirus]

12. Red haring is a Red haring...

the study is about how much fructose people "believe" is in soda, that says nothing about the biological effect of HFCS.

[Zarya]

13. Sacrificing health for sweetness

People cannot have it both ways. They cannot complain about weight gain and about wanting the one that tastes sweeter in the same breadth. If one wants to be healthy, and this is asuming the information is true, than you have to make a compromise.
In all honesty, overall nutritionists recommend that overall one should never drink soda. So, those who do dirnk it often enough, could probably stand to make some compromise.