High Fructose Corn Syrup is getting replaced by sugar in many packaged foods and drinks. High Fructose Corn Syrup has recently gotten a bad reputation as an artificial sweetener. It is heavily processed and offers little nutritional value

Problems with Sugars

Changing to sugar is almost a marketing gimmick. Researchers have concluded that sugar and High Fructose Corn Syrup have the exact same effect on obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Biochemically they are almost identical. One is not better than the other. Consumers should seek less sweet alternative products. The American Diabetic Association has stated that studies have found little evidence that high fructose corn syrup differs from sucrose. Some corn syrup comes from Genetically Modified corn, making you part of an experiment to ensure that this does not cause long term problems.

Soda and Hidden Fat Increase

Danish researchers found that drinking non-diet soda leads to dramatic increases in dangerous hidden fats like liver fat and skeletal fat. (February issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)

Flame Retardants in Soda

Some citrus flavored soda, including Mountain Dew, uses brominated vegetable oil or BVO—a toxic flame retardant, as an emulsifier, to keep their artificial flavoring from separating from the rest of the liquids.

Some restaurant and products have replaced high fructose corn syrup with agave nectar claiming that it may be better. Unfortunately it is high in fructose, ranging from 50% to 100%. A diet high in fructose raises lipids and reduces insulin sensitivity. Glucose doesn’t have these negative effects.

Quest for Sugar Elimination

Recently went looking for some simple unsweetened iced tea at a Walgreens and in a gas station, we found nothing but sweetened versions of the drink. If you wanted to do without sugar you have to buy bottled water.

People need to drink water instead of soda. Snack on fruit instead of cookies. Yes they are not as appetizing, but they are far healthier.

Check out this video that talks about the problems with sugar.

photo credit: quinn.anya

The Sun and other publications had articles saying that overweight people are not eco friendly.

“Scientists warned that the increase in big-eaters means more food production — a major cause of CO2 gas emissions warming the planet.

Overweight people are also more likely to drive, adding to environmental damage.”

A thought provoking arguement for me.

A recent Wall Street Journal article on the causes of obesity recited the following statistics:

$1429 is additional amount obese people spent on medical costs in 2006

$2.8 billion spent on additional auto gas in 2005 due to extra body weight, compared to 1960

$12.8 billion annual losses to US Businesses from absenteeism due to obesity