What is high fructose corn syrup and why is it used?
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener derived from corn syrup, which is processed from corn. It’s used to sweeten processed foods and soft drinks — primarily in the United States. Similarly to regular table sugar (sucrose), it’s composed of both fructose and glucose.
Why is everything made with high fructose corn syrup?
Enzymes are added to corn syrup to change the glucose into another simple sugar. This simple sugar is called fructose. The enzymes have been genetically modified to improve their heat stability. This makes the production of high fructose corn syrup easier.
What is high fructose corn syrup made from?
corn starch
HFCS is derived from corn starch. Starch itself is a chain of glucose (a simple sugar) molecules joined together. When corn starch is broken down into individual glucose molecules, the end product is corn syrup, which is essentially 100% glucose.
What exactly is corn syrup?
Corn syrup is a food syrup which is made from the starch of corn (called maize in many countries) and contains varying amounts of maltose and higher oligosaccharides, depending on the grade.
What’s wrong with high-fructose corn syrup?
High fructose corn syrup has crept into more of our foods over the last few decades. Compared with regular sugar, it’s cheaper and sweeter, and is more quickly absorbed into your body. But eating too much high fructose corn syrup can lead to insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
What are the side effects of corn syrup?
High Fructose Corn Syrup is generally considered a safe ingredient. Possible side effects: health problems, such as weight gain, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and high triglyceride levels.
Why is HFCS harmful?
High amounts of HFCS often result in higher cholesterol, which in turn blocks arteries and the flow of blood to and from the heart. This process weakens the heart muscles and the ability for new oxygen to circulate throughout the body. The increase in fat storages also harms heart health.
What is worse corn syrup or sugar?
There is currently no evidence to suggest that HFCS is any worse than sugar. Both high fructose corn syrup and sugar are essentially the same; the difference between them is too small to matter in moderate consumption, and in excess both are harmful to health.
What’s the difference between corn syrup and sugar?
Compared to sugar, corn syrup is made up of polysaccharides. Since corn syrup came from starch (which is a complex sugar), its chemical bonding is different and includes more molecules of sugar. Summary: 1.Both sugar and corn syrup are sweeteners and flavor enhancers used in cooking and baking foods.
