High Fructose Corn Syrup Vs Corn Sugar: Will a Name Change Make a Difference?

High fructose corn syrup is a preservative and an every day sweetener found in many food products and drinks. It is made by changing the sugar in cornstarch to fructose, which is another form of sugar. It also helps to extend the shelf life of processed foods and drinks. High fructose corn syrup has been known to contribute to obesity, diabetes, having a fatty liver and cancer. As people become more aware of the dangers that may be caused from high fructose corn syrup, the least popular it becomes. They have many commercials trying to put a positive spin on high fructose corn syrup, but the commercials have had little success. Several large food companies are making the change back to using real sugar, and extensively advertising this change. The main thing to remember is sugar from any source can cause obesity and diabetes if consumed in large quantities.

Will Changing High Fructose Corn Syrup to Corn Sugar Make a Difference?

The Corn Refiners Association asked the FDA for permission to change high fructose corn syrup to corn sugar. The FDA has yet to make a ruling on the decision, and can take as long as two years to decide. Many feel this is an attempt to mislead consumers. People who are heath conscious will still educate themselves, and know that changing a name doesn't change the safety of the product. If a person never pays attention to labeling, then they will probably be indifferent to the change.

High Fructose Corn Syrup and Obesity

Researchers from Princeton have found that high fructose corn syrup may contribute to obesity. Researchers found rats that had access to high fructose corn syrup gained considerably more weight than the rats who ate table sugar. The calorie intake was the same. Researchers also found long-term consumption lead to an abnormal weight increase, especially in the stomach. It also caused a rise in circulatory blood fats.

Cancer Cells May Accelerate When Exposed to High Fructose Corn Syrup

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center took pancreatic tumors from patients, then cultured and grew the cancerous cells in petri dishes. Researchers found that pancreatic cancer cells grew faster when the cells were fed high fructose corn syrup. Researchers also found that fructose may also accelerate the growth of other cancer cells. High consumption of high fructose puts a person in a higher risk category.

For more information on high fructose corn syrup go to: www.cnn.com, www.mayoclinic.com, www.princeton.edu, www.cancer.ucla.edu, www.emaxhealth.com.