Just Fine in Moderation...

From Washington State University's newspaper, The Daily Evergreen:

The CRA is engaging in false advertising
By: Justin Rastelli, columnist

The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) would like you to know that consuming high fructose corn syrup is no worse for you than eating an equivalent amount in table sugar. By that same logic, smoking is no worse than shooting yourself, so people should not bother to quit smoking either.

The CRA’s latest advertising campaign is an attempt to change the public view on corn syrup. These commercials all follow a similar story line, featuring two relatively attractive and healthy individuals with one explaining the “truth” about corn syrup. Often the commercials claim that corn syrup is a natural product, equivalent to any other sugar, and is “just fine in moderation.”

These commercials give the false impression that high fructose corn syrup, or any sugar, is not detrimental to your health. They miss the issue entirely. It is not that high fructose corn syrup is any worse for you. The issue is that the amount of corn syrup consumed by an average American is incredibly high.

If you consumed the same incredible amount of sugar as opposed to corn syrup, you would still be scheduling your next visit for liposuction. When doctors and dietitians suggest avoiding corn syrup, they are suggesting that you avoid foods that are highly processed and contain large amounts of sugar. It just happens that most products of that variety contain corn syrup.

High fructose corn syrup is indeed derived from corn, but that is not why many consider it to be unnatural. More often than not corn syrup is found in many products that are highly processed and refined. Cereals, breads, condiments and even cough syrup all contain corn syrup. Let us not forget that high fructose corn syrup is also the main ingredient in foods that contain little to no nutritional value, such as candy or soda.

The amount of corn syrup in products is the main problem. It is proven that consumption of large amounts of any sugar is responsible for a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension and obesity. By producing these commercials, the CRA is trying to protect their investments and trying to confuse you. The issue is not what corn syrup is made of, it is the ridiculous amounts that are consumed by Americans.

That is why it was necessary for them to put the “in moderation” line in their commercials. But without constant awareness, moderation is nearly impossible. If you ever happen to glance at the nutrition label on your can of Coke, you might notice the incredible amount of sugar that it contains.The reason that there is no datum for percentage daily value for sugar is that you do not need any. Any excess is just extra empty calories. In moderation should really mean not at all.

Ultimately, if you want to be healthy, you should avoid high fructose corn syrup. It isn't toxic but most of the products that use it carry very little nutritional value to begin with. Do not let the CRA trick you into thinking that corn syrup is healthy. If you want a healthy life, you should avoid it. Of course, if you want to be a diabetic obese person with high blood pressure, by all means indulge.

http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/32949