Corn syrup

  • Does anyone know what the difference is between high fructose corn syrup and just corn syrup?

    I know HFCS is bad and should be avoided since it's just more sugar. I presume corn syrup is the same regarding sugar, but not sure if it is OK in some measure.

    I noticed the Healthy Choice pasta sauce I usually buy, which is pretty good in a lot of areas, has corn syrup listed as an ingredient midway down the list. The organic sauce doesn't, which makes me think this is just another additive to avoid.
  • HFCS isn't "bad". it IS sugar. so as long as its done in moderation, just like sugar (or pretty much anything else in the world), its perfectly fine.
  • *Maybe*, but if you eat processed foods everyday, it's in practically everything.
  • Well that's why you don't eat processed foods constantly. It isn't the HFCS itself that is damaging, its the abuse of it. Its like any other ingredient in anything else.
  • I disagree. Some studies have shown that HFCS bypasses your body's indicators letting you know when you are getting full/satisfied. It has to do with the way it is digested -- it's digested differently than glucose.

    http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/3021.html

    But to answer your original question: from what I understand, the term "corn syrup" can vary between countries. In Canada, we have some "corn syrups" that contain glucose. So, your body would digest part of it in a similar manner to that of other glucose-sugars (table sugar, for instance). HFCS, on the other hand, is highly processed. It bypasses all natural means of our bodies' way of saying "stop! that's enough, I'm full".
  • Quote: HFCS isn't "bad". it IS sugar. so as long as its done in moderation, just like sugar (or pretty much anything else in the world), its perfectly fine.
    I think this is a matter of opinion. At present, there is research to support a number of contrasting viewpoints.