Being an informed Consumer-

Have you seen the commercials lately trying to give HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP a little boost?

It is true that HFCS has gotten a bad wrap over the last few years. In 2004 an article written in the American Journal of Clinical Nutritioin proposed the idea that HFCS was one of the leading causes of the rise in obesity. The article pointed out that from 1970 to 1990 Americans’ intake of HFCS increased by more than 1,000 percent. The researchers also noted that, during that same time, the proportion of Americans who were overweight or obese increased from about half to two-thirds.

But more recently these same authors have said singling out HFCS turned out to be unjustified, “Dozens of human studies on HFCS and energy intake and weight change show that our hypothesis was wrong.” The American Medical Association came to a similar conclusion last June, when it announced: “High-fructose corn syrup does not appear to contribute more to obesity than other caloric sweeteners.”

So why are so many Americans overweight?

For one, we’re eating more, period: the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates show that, since 1970, our daily calorie intake has grown by a whopping 24 percent. Sweetened beverages have added a huge quantity of calories to our diets. “More than 450 of a person’s daily calories come from beverages, 40 percent from soft drinks or fruit juices,” says Popkin (an author from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). Studies show that when we consume calories in liquid form our bodies don’t acknowledge them the way they do those from solid food and we don’t cut our food intake later. So should we blame HFCS, since it sweetens most sodas and sweet drinks? That’s guilt by association, not a direct cause, says Popkin. “Sugary beverages are the culprit, and whatever form the sugar is in does not matter.”

What it comes down to is moderation of all things. Although HFCS isn't as bad as once thought we do have to remember that a lot of the foods that contain it aren't very nutritional so it should still be consumed in moderation. Plus who knows when the next set of research will come out saying that yes indeed it is bad for our bodies. MODERATION IS KEY!!!

I hope you will just take the time to become informed about the foods you put into your body. In the fitness and nutritional world you will always come upon conflicting information or information that changes with time. And it is easy to be tricked by those wanting you to try out their products. The more you know the better off you are.

You can read more information in this article here from the Mayo Clinic-
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/an01588


You can read about many of the misconception about HFCS, but as you read this remember it is being written by people who produce HFCS. Yes research has shown that maybe HFCS isn't as bad as once thought but it is still added sugar and it still adds calories to your daily diet. Lets not give it too much credit.
http://www.sweetsurprise.com/myths-and-facts/top-hfcs-myths


If you want more info from the American Medical Association you can read the article here-
Hot Topics paper on High Fructose Corn Syrup, December 2008