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High Fructose Corn Syrup
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High-Fructose Corn Syrup Linked to High Blood Pressure
No matter how much the Corn Refiners Association tries to convince us that high-fructose corn syrup is healthy, I'm not buying it. Now I have another reason to avoid it: new findings have linked high-fructose corn syrup to high blood pressure, aka hypertension.
In the past 20 years alone, Americans have increased fructose intake by 30 percent, and that increase tracks closely to the rise in obesity.
Fittingly Mad: "Natural" Foods That Really Aren't
Starting this month, Pepsi is rolling out a new drink called Pepsi Natural that's made with sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. The soda company is touting the drink's "all-natural ingredients," including natural caramel and kola nut extract; the glass bottles will even be stocked in natural foods aisles.
Despite the ads from the Corn Refiners Association trying to position HFCS as a "sweet surprise," the New York Times reports that more and more brands are using real sugar as a selling point.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup vs. Sugar
You've probably seen those commercials boasting that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) isn't as bad for you as you think, since it's made from all-natural corn. It's misleading though because just like refined white sugar, HFCS is a highly processed sweetener. Both sugar and HFCS provide zero nutrition and loads of empty calories.
More on High Fructose Corn Syrup
The ads promoting high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that are airing on TV irritate me to no end and I know they bother a few of you as well. The controversy surrounding the ad campaign, which is estimated to cost around $20 to $30 million, continues to grow. The basic premise of the ads is that HFCS is natural since it is made from corn (they don't mention how processed the syrup truly is) and that it is just like sugar.
The Skinny On: High Fructose Corn Syrup
When I started reading food labels, way back when, I must admit that I thought high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was made out of fruit, because of the "fructose," as well as corn. Now that I have been schooled over the years, I know that this sweetener is made from cornstarch that goes through a serious amount of processing.
The Corn Refiners Association has started the sweet surprise ad campaign to try to reclaim consumers' hearts and dollars.
Speak Up: Are You Surprised by the Sweet Surprise Ads?
The Corn Refiners Association is fighting back. They are sick and tired of their favorite ingredient high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) being maligned by the liberal press. They have hired a PR agent and an ad team to teach you that HFCS is not only good for you, it is natural as well.
Taste Test: TeaZazz Sparkling Teas
Lately we've been receiving a lot of tea to try at the office. We've also been witnessing a lot of beverage companies swapping the high-fructose corn syrup in their drinks for pure cane sugar. So it comes as no surprise that the latest rising beverage on the market is TeaZazz, a carbonated tea made with sugar that markets itself as a healthier hybrid soft drink.
Yummy Links: From the Barefoot Contessa to Ginger Ale
- Go inside the Barefoot Contessa's downtown Manhattan apartment. — Serious Eats
- The FDA has ruled that high fructose corn syrup is still considered natural. — Slashfood
- Learn how to make the perfect martini.
Taste Test: Thomas Kemper's Cane Sugar Soda
In what's become a growing trend among soda manufacturers, Thomas Kemper has recently reformulated their soda recipes and updated packaging. Instead of using high-fructose corn syrup, the new beverages are naturally sweetened with pure cane sugar.
I tasted three — Black Cherry, Root Beer, and Ginger Ale — of the company's five sodas and was pleasantly surprised by the results.
Health Foods That Aren't So Healthy
It seems like every food company is getting on the health kick these days. They're advertising products that are "made with whole grains," or "low in sugar," or "fat-free." It's easy to believe the printing on the packages, but I'm sorry to tell you that food companies are using all their marketing resources to sway you to buy their product.
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