What is high fructose corn syrup really? High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sugar substitute made from corn. HFCS is processed and much cheaper than sugar, yet it still has the same sweetness, but which one is healthier? Ha! Trick question, neither one is healthier. Sugar is sugar, whether made from corn, sugar cane or sugar beet; all are sweet, tempting, and just as unhealthy as any other added sugar.
HFSC and sugar are much like fat and trans-fat. Take a Reese’s Cup, for instance. If you take all of the trans-fat out but none of the regular fat, does that make it healthy? No. Fat is fat, and sugar is sugar, no matter what you call it, but one Reese’s Cup every once in a while is not going to kill you.
However, too much of it can lead to many health issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. But does this mean we cannot enjoy it? Of course not. Too much of anything is unhealthy, even fruits and grains.
One needs balance in order to live a happy life style. You need fruits and grains for energy and fats and lipids to produce more cells. These are especially needed amongst younger groups.
J. Justice Wilson, senior researcher with the Center of Consumer Freedom in Washington says, “Sugar and high fructose corn syrup contain exactly the same ingredients, and the notion that high fructose corn is bad for you is a manufactured problem. Calorie-wise the two products are the same.”
This is not to say eliminating both from your diet will magically make you healthy. It is fine to have either or both. Just try not to eat more than 40 to 45 grams of added sugar per day.