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High Fructose Corn SyrupLiquid SweetenerHigh fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a common natural liquid sweetener that is very similar in composition to table sugar (sucrose) in sweetness. Generally recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), HFCS is the preferred sweetener of food and beverage manufacturers because of its advantages in the manufacturing process. In fact, in the U.S. today, regular, non-diet soft drink product beverages and other refreshment beverages, such as ready-to-drink teas, are sweetened with either HFCS or sucrose. The great majority are sweetened with HFCS. HFCS - Very Similar to SugarAs the name implies, HFCS is made from corn, unlike sucrose, the familiar sweetener in your sugar bowl that comes from sugar cane or sugar beets. Sucrose is composed of two simple sugars, glucose and fructose in a ratio of 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose. HFCS, however, is also made up of the two simple sugars glucose and fructose and differs only slightly from table sugar in the ratios of the two simple sugars. The HFCS used in beverages is called HFCS-42 or HFCS-55, meaning it is 42 percent fructose or 55 percent fructose, with the remaining percentage being mainly glucose. Thus, HFCS essentially has the same composition as table sugar (sucrose). Does the Body Process HFCS and Sucrose Differently?Dietary glucose and fructose may be processed differently; however, the source of these simple sugars, whether from sucrose or HFCS, does not matter to the body. Obesity is caused by an imbalance in energy intake and energy output. Thus, too many calories and not enough exercise are the primary factors contributing to obesity. No one sweetener or single food can be blamed for causing obesity. The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to exercise or be physically active at least 30 minutes daily and to consume a variety of foods and beverages in moderation. All beverages, including refreshment beverages, fit in a balanced and healthy lifestyle. For more information about HFCS, visit the Corn Refiner’s Association’s HFCS Facts and Sweet Surprises. |
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