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.

Is Vitamin Water low calorie drink or a virtual soda-like drink in disguise? Vitamin Water made the news recently. Center for Science in the Public Interest sued Coca Cola, who owns Vitamin Water over deceptive and unsubstantiated claims on its  original Vitamin Water line of beverages.

Vitamin Water Zero was created to address this controversy over whether Vitamin water is good for you or has too many calories.

“Coke markets Vitamin Water as a healthful alternative to soda by labeling its several flavors with such health buzz words as “defense,” “rescue,” “energy,” and “endurance.” The company makes a wide range of dramatic claims, including that its drinks variously reduce the risk of chronic disease, reduce the risk of eye disease, promote healthy joints, and support optimal immune function.”

“In fact, according to CSPI nutritionists, the 33 grams of sugar in each bottle of Vitamin Water do more to promote obesity, diabetes, and other health problems than the vitamins in the drinks do to perform the advertised benefits listed on the bottles.”

Vitamin Water may prove to do more harm than good, because many of the various flavors are filled with sugar and caffeine that offsets any positive effect of vitamins. We recently posted an article about the wonders of sweeteners. One 500ml bottle of Vitamin Water had 8 teaspoons of sugar, 82ml of caffeine. The label indicates:

“…consumers not to drink more than two bottles a day because of the caffeine content (82 milligrams) and [the label] recommends it not be taken by children or pregnant or lactating women.”

Vitamin Water Zero

Apparently Vitamin Water is listening. In 2010, they introduced a new line of drinks for the weight-conscious market called Vitamin Water Zero that has 0 calories per eight-ounce serving. It uses sweeteners from Truvia, a high-purity extract of the stevia leaf.

Keep in mind switching to diet sodas has its downsides. A reminder that there is no free lunch.

Alternatives to Vitamin Water

How about sticking to plain old water in a BPA free water bottle?

Be sure to read Healthy Food Options to Avoid Chemicals