No doubt I could do my own research, but perhaps you could steer me to more information on this subject.
I have updated the post to add some links but a Google search will provide a wealth of info.
They use beet sugar in Europe and have a surfeit of it with the inclusion of Eastern Europe. Although Cuba exported most of its cane sugar production to Russia, it wasn't nearly enough to conver the demand.
I don't use anything but cane sugar because it does make a difference in cooking and taste.
One of the problems I have with HFCS is that it is too sweet and overpowers other flavors. This is very noticeable in Coke, as it has lost the "bite" that it had in my youth.
I think it may have a different set of temperature gradients that affects making confections and blending. The texture on some products has changed.
I remember Karo syrup from my youth and won't go near the stuff. I certainly don't want it in what I eat.
According to Wikipedia there are several different strengths of HFCS 90 the sweetest, 55 and 42. I agree that it alters the flavor of things and that is just another reason I avoid it.
I recently bought a Coke imported from Mexico... easy enough to find in Houston... and the label said it used sugar, not HFCS as in the domestic product. It did indeed taste different, possibly a bit more like the Coke of my childhood, though who knows what other differences in the recipe there may have been.
And now, look for an industry-hired spammer on this thread in 3... 2... 1...
Steve. Being from Atlanta I have several friends that worked at or still work for Coke. One actually worked in the formulation lab and she swears that the only change made in the formula for Coke Classic is the substitution of HFCS 55 for the sucrose and this is only done in the U.S. since enzymes created from GMO corn are used to make the HFCS from the orginal glucose that is extracted from corn and you can't use GMO stuff except in the U.S. since out government doesn't care if what we eat is killing us.
Thanks for the alert!
Dude, bread. Try buying bread that does not have that shit in it. Me and the missus have been trying to cut HFCS out of our diets completly and it is hard.
HFCS has invaded our food supply.
Courtesy of the Corn Refiners Assoc.,
go to www.corn.org/NSFC2006.pdf.
Pages 29-30 list all the foods and
products that contain HFCS. Some surprises: yogurt, whole wheat
bread, cough syrups. StopHFCS.com
lists HFCS-free foods. They welcome
additions and suggestions. As to Europe not having the sugar tariff problem that we do and not allowing
GMO food (which safely eliminates HFCS)that is true also. But another
aspect is that in Europe, the governments are genuinely interested
in their citizens' health down the
road since the government pays for health care. In the US, we pay for our health care and our government strongly lobbied by corporate interests (such as Cargill
and ADM)tends to look the other way.
Thanks for the links Cynthia. I will take a look. I just discovered that Yoplait light fat free yogurt has HFCS. I had already eaten half the cup before I began to read the label. I was excited that the hotel was finally offering fat free yogurt that I didn't obey my own rule for eating nothing without reading the ingredients first.
Jim- I have found one commercial grocery store brand of bread that doesn't use HFCS. Pepperidge Farm 100% Natural Whole Wheat. It uses raisin juice as the sweetner and it is pretty good for store bought bread.
You've provided lots of good information and great links for further research. It's important to remember that we must be aware of the foods we are eating and what ingredients they contain. It's not necessary to completely cut out HFCS or other sugars that studies have shown are just as bad for us. But consume them in moderation. Eating too much is where the problems begin.
Has anyone seen this article? http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/
20071...EYPCTxAAVsR.3QA
This study shows that HFCS and regular sugar didn't differ at all in terms of their effects on people's appetite throughout the day. This finding also contradicts the theory that HFCS is to blame for the rising obesity rates.
thanks for stopping by Paula. I am not sure that the study, as described, in germane to the argument. If they had tested pizza with sugar and with HFCS that would be different.
Most dietitians that that foods containing HFCS cause overeating because they do not have the insulin effect fast enough and you therefore tend to eat more before you are satisfied. Thank for pointing out the study though... one more data point.
That's interesting Fallenmonk, why would testing pizza with sugar vs. HFCS cause different results in the study? Also, out of curiosity, is there an article you are referring to that reports that HFCS leads to overeating? On another note, if HFCS is to blame for obesity rates in America, then how can you explain rising obesity in places like Australia where regular sugar is used?
I respect your opinion, the point I am trying to make is that instead of pointing fingers at HFCS, I think we need to remember everything in moderation. As a country, we need to focus on eating smaller portions and healthier foods in general rather than isolating one factor and blaming it for a large societal issue.
Thanks for responding Paula. The information on HFCS comes from a book The Insulin Resistance Diet by Hart and Grossman.
Thank you for that reference, I appreciate it. The HFCS controversy is an interesting topic I'm glad there is an outlet to discuss it.
Fructose has been implicated as a factor in appetite/obesity. The data is conflicting on this issue.
I find corn syrup to be 'hot' and sugar to be 'cool'. Highly unscientific, but I think we find on some level we find corn syrup deeply unsatisfying and it helps people to overeat.
Corn syrup is bad for us I have no doubt about it. Its a dull sweetner, that just creates more of a craving for sweet things without ever satisfying that appetite.
How about a national Do Not Drink Soda Month.
I suggest August.
I know this sound crazy.
But it would Save Money in Peoples Pocket.
But would Hurt You Know who's pocket book.
Yoplait defends the use of HFCS in their LIGHT yogurt by saying:
"HFCS is safe for use in foods. Although sugars, including HFCS, are often mistakenly linked to obesity, research has not shown good evidence that added sugars are causing obesity or any other chronic diseases including diabetes. Just like sugar, HFCS contains four calories per gram. It is an important ingredient in improving the taste of nutrient-rich food, like yogurt."
So, according to Yoplait, it's IMPORTANT to put HFCS into your DIET yogurt.
Did everyone catch that??!!
Thanks for stopping by Janet. I only eat plain yogurt so I definitely don't agree. If anything is added it is a little salt.
Actually, the question is why us HFCS when you could use sugar. There is no controversy over sugar other than it adds empty calories. The real reason they use HFCS is because it is cheaper and they don't care if it has unknown effects.
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