<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for The story behind the corn industry’s cloying ad blitz]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Cornrefiner http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:48:56 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/1 High fructose corn syrup

High fructose corn syrup, sugar, and several fruit juices are all nutritionally the same.

High fructose corn syrup has the same number of calories as sugar and is handled similarly by the body.

The American Medical Association in June 2008 helped put to rest misunderstandings about this sweetener and obesity, stating that "high fructose corn syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners."

Consumers can see the latest research and learn more about high fructose corn syrup at http://www.HFCSfacts.com and http://www.SweetSurprise.com.

Audrae Erickson
President
Corn Refiners Association

]]> High fructose corn syrup

High fructose corn syrup, sugar, and several fruit juices are all nutritionally the same.

High fructose corn syrup has the same number of calories as sugar and is handled similarly by the body.

The American Medical Association in June 2008 helped put to rest misunderstandings about this sweetener and obesity, stating that "high fructose corn syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other caloric sweeteners."

Consumers can see the latest research and learn more about high fructose corn syrup at http://www.HFCSfacts.com and http://www.SweetSurprise.com.

Audrae Erickson
President
Corn Refiners Association

]]> Comment #2 by cavecanem http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:16:54 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/2 AMA

Audrae - that rhetoric is highly questionable.

1.) Per http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20080618/sweetener-gets-un ...

"We do recommend consumers limit the amount of all added caloric sweeteners to no more than 32 grams of sugar daily based on a 2,000 calorie diet in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans," Dolan says.

The AMA acknowledges that obesity rates have soared in recent decades, in sync with the growing use of high fructose corn syrup."

2.) HFCS doesn't actually exist anywhere in nature. It is a manufactured product created by using enzymes (two natural, one synthetic) to increase the fructose content of corn syrup to about 90%. This super high fructose syrup is then blended "down" with a 100% glucose corn syrup to create various mixes. HFCS 55, for example, which is 55% fructose and 45% glucose is the mix used most commonly in beverages. HFCS 42 is the blend used more commonly in baked goods.

3.) Yes, it's absolutely true that high fructose corn syrup is made from corn, but it doesn't mean anything. Biodiesel is made from corn too, and you wouldn't want to see that used as a food additive.

4.) The AMA also states: "But [the AMA] called for further independent research to be done on the health effects of high fructose syrup and other sweeteners."

They then went on to say:

"We do recommend consumers limit the amount of all added caloric sweeteners to no more than 32 grams of sugar daily."

...and "Currently, there are few available studies on the health effects of high fructose syrup and most are focused on the short-term effects."

5.) It is in everything and Americans eat a lot of it - nearly 60 lbs. per capita in 2006. The claim is it is "healthy" when consumed in moderation - the problem is it is not consumed in moderation. Your company's lobbying efforts have directly caused this.

The fact is, high-fructose corn syrup is reviled for contributing to everything from the obesity epidemic to rising rates of childhood diabetes.

]]> AMA

Audrae - that rhetoric is highly questionable.

1.) Per http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20080618/sweetener-gets-un ...

"We do recommend consumers limit the amount of all added caloric sweeteners to no more than 32 grams of sugar daily based on a 2,000 calorie diet in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans," Dolan says.

The AMA acknowledges that obesity rates have soared in recent decades, in sync with the growing use of high fructose corn syrup."

2.) HFCS doesn't actually exist anywhere in nature. It is a manufactured product created by using enzymes (two natural, one synthetic) to increase the fructose content of corn syrup to about 90%. This super high fructose syrup is then blended "down" with a 100% glucose corn syrup to create various mixes. HFCS 55, for example, which is 55% fructose and 45% glucose is the mix used most commonly in beverages. HFCS 42 is the blend used more commonly in baked goods.

3.) Yes, it's absolutely true that high fructose corn syrup is made from corn, but it doesn't mean anything. Biodiesel is made from corn too, and you wouldn't want to see that used as a food additive.

4.) The AMA also states: "But [the AMA] called for further independent research to be done on the health effects of high fructose syrup and other sweeteners."

They then went on to say:

"We do recommend consumers limit the amount of all added caloric sweeteners to no more than 32 grams of sugar daily."

...and "Currently, there are few available studies on the health effects of high fructose syrup and most are focused on the short-term effects."

5.) It is in everything and Americans eat a lot of it - nearly 60 lbs. per capita in 2006. The claim is it is "healthy" when consumed in moderation - the problem is it is not consumed in moderation. Your company's lobbying efforts have directly caused this.

The fact is, high-fructose corn syrup is reviled for contributing to everything from the obesity epidemic to rising rates of childhood diabetes.

]]> Comment #3 by Delay And Deny http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:19:04 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/3 Too Much of A Bad Thing


The argument muddles a point -- how much "sweetener" of any kind should we be eating.

And has fructose become inescapable and put into many products that have no business being sweetened.

Take frozen "fruit juice".  One has to go to Harvard Law to understand the fine versus the big print on what exactly is the source of the juice -- it is truly natural, are there additives, is the natural content of sugar "boosted" (even with natural juice) to make it sweeter?

]]> Too Much of A Bad Thing


The argument muddles a point -- how much "sweetener" of any kind should we be eating.

And has fructose become inescapable and put into many products that have no business being sweetened.

Take frozen "fruit juice".  One has to go to Harvard Law to understand the fine versus the big print on what exactly is the source of the juice -- it is truly natural, are there additives, is the natural content of sugar "boosted" (even with natural juice) to make it sweeter?

]]> Comment #4 by ian http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:44:44 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/4 Is HFCS really the same as sugar?

My friend Jim and his kids are allergic to HFCS (and all corn products such as corn starch), but not to cane sugar.  He goes hunting for sodas, cakes, pizzas etc. that won't give him the jitters.  So my question is this: is it not possible that the difference between sugar and HFCS that his body detects is the same difference that causes obesity?  Oh, BTW, he is one skinny dude.

]]> Is HFCS really the same as sugar?

My friend Jim and his kids are allergic to HFCS (and all corn products such as corn starch), but not to cane sugar.  He goes hunting for sodas, cakes, pizzas etc. that won't give him the jitters.  So my question is this: is it not possible that the difference between sugar and HFCS that his body detects is the same difference that causes obesity?  Oh, BTW, he is one skinny dude.

]]> Comment #5 by Maeve http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Mon, 20 Oct 2008 04:30:52 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/5 Coincidence?

I was reading through my weekend back-up of RSS stuff, and came across an article at CrunchGear about HCFS - link here.

The same Audrae lady responded with a similar canned blurb, though far longer.

Seems awfully coincidental. I expect they've got people on press duty to scan the Web send out this kind of crap anytime one of them finds anything online that even slightly infers anything not good about HCFS.

-

I read food labels for many things these days, but main among them is HCFS. I notice that I feel much better without it in my diet and generally only splurge if I'm going out to eat and want a soda (not often). Usually I just get club soda instead.

(yes, this comment is damned similar to the one I posted on CrunchGear... I'm at work and lazy...) ;)

]]> Coincidence?

I was reading through my weekend back-up of RSS stuff, and came across an article at CrunchGear about HCFS - link here.

The same Audrae lady responded with a similar canned blurb, though far longer.

Seems awfully coincidental. I expect they've got people on press duty to scan the Web send out this kind of crap anytime one of them finds anything online that even slightly infers anything not good about HCFS.

-

I read food labels for many things these days, but main among them is HCFS. I notice that I feel much better without it in my diet and generally only splurge if I'm going out to eat and want a soda (not often). Usually I just get club soda instead.

(yes, this comment is damned similar to the one I posted on CrunchGear... I'm at work and lazy...) ;)

]]> Comment #6 by PermieWriter http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:47:02 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/6 Nice casting

I'm pretty sure the actress playing Paranoid Mom is the same one who played Buffy's roommate in the first couple episodes of season 4. The one who turned out to be a demon.

It's nice to see the gears of the agro-chem industry grinding on an issue that doesn't have such high stakes. Like transgenic crops, for example.

]]> Nice casting

I'm pretty sure the actress playing Paranoid Mom is the same one who played Buffy's roommate in the first couple episodes of season 4. The one who turned out to be a demon.

It's nice to see the gears of the agro-chem industry grinding on an issue that doesn't have such high stakes. Like transgenic crops, for example.

]]> Comment #7 by moregreeneachday http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Mon, 20 Oct 2008 23:22:24 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/7 NO MENTION OF GMO!!! How can this be?

I find it very hard to believe that "genetically modified corn" is NOT mentioned once in this article! NO GMO corn for me! KISS GOODBYE HFCSs!!!

]]> NO MENTION OF GMO!!! How can this be?

I find it very hard to believe that "genetically modified corn" is NOT mentioned once in this article! NO GMO corn for me! KISS GOODBYE HFCSs!!!

]]> Comment #8 by amazingdrx http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:48:23 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/8 Cane, beet, corn

Which sugar would win without subsidies?  Cane, it's a more efficient sugar producing plant.

Which one needs the least chemical processing?  Cane sugar.  Which one provides healthy nutrition?  None of them.

Which sugars do not involve slavery?  Beet or corn sugar.  Sugar cane is mostly harvested by slaves.  The Fanta brothers even have sugar slaves in Florida, imported from the Carribean.

Honey and maple sugar are the only locally available least processed sources of sweetness for most of the US.  Water is more satisfying and healthier than sweetened beverages.

I see local honey and maple syrup producers making healthy incomes again, as people become more conscious of corporate food scamming.

]]> Cane, beet, corn

Which sugar would win without subsidies?  Cane, it's a more efficient sugar producing plant.

Which one needs the least chemical processing?  Cane sugar.  Which one provides healthy nutrition?  None of them.

Which sugars do not involve slavery?  Beet or corn sugar.  Sugar cane is mostly harvested by slaves.  The Fanta brothers even have sugar slaves in Florida, imported from the Carribean.

Honey and maple sugar are the only locally available least processed sources of sweetness for most of the US.  Water is more satisfying and healthier than sweetened beverages.

I see local honey and maple syrup producers making healthy incomes again, as people become more conscious of corporate food scamming.

]]> Comment #9 by mkeating http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:55:15 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/9 Cane, beet, corn....AND SORGUM!

It figures that someone from Northern Wisconsin would cite honey and maple syrup as natural, sustainable sweeteners but forget to mention sorghum!  As an adopted Southerner, I've come to appreciate just how wonderful AND nutritous sorghum is.  Really, there is no substitute for honey - its enzymatic properties as a living food make it so therapeutic.  But if you're looking for sweetness with some nutrition, sorghum is for you.  Sorghum is drought tolerant and much less spoliled than corn - one reason why it has been a traditional food, feed and fiber source for poor farmers in the South and Midwest.  In another few years, we'll probably be growing sorhum in Northern Wisconsin as maple syrup production moves up to the Arctic Circle!

]]> Cane, beet, corn....AND SORGUM!

It figures that someone from Northern Wisconsin would cite honey and maple syrup as natural, sustainable sweeteners but forget to mention sorghum!  As an adopted Southerner, I've come to appreciate just how wonderful AND nutritous sorghum is.  Really, there is no substitute for honey - its enzymatic properties as a living food make it so therapeutic.  But if you're looking for sweetness with some nutrition, sorghum is for you.  Sorghum is drought tolerant and much less spoliled than corn - one reason why it has been a traditional food, feed and fiber source for poor farmers in the South and Midwest.  In another few years, we'll probably be growing sorhum in Northern Wisconsin as maple syrup production moves up to the Arctic Circle!

]]> Comment #10 by amazingdrx http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Wed, 22 Oct 2008 07:39:52 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/10 Hope not!

"In another few years, we'll probably be growing sorhum in Northern Wisconsin"

We'll still have bees, maybe?  Anyway, thanks for the tip, M.   I'll try some.  Maybe it would grow up here with a cold frame season extender?

]]> Hope not!

"In another few years, we'll probably be growing sorhum in Northern Wisconsin"

We'll still have bees, maybe?  Anyway, thanks for the tip, M.   I'll try some.  Maybe it would grow up here with a cold frame season extender?

]]> Comment #11 by ryanwanger http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:56:39 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/11 This Campaign was a HUGE Mistake

The number of people googling "high fructose corn syrup" has hilariously SKYROCKETED since this campaign launched. What do they see? All results questioning its safety.

Thanks to the commercials, people who didn't know they had a problem are curious now, and doing their own research. OOPS!

I just wrote a post about this with stats and commentary. http://www.thereluctanteater.com/2008/10/proof-sweet-surp ...

]]> This Campaign was a HUGE Mistake

The number of people googling "high fructose corn syrup" has hilariously SKYROCKETED since this campaign launched. What do they see? All results questioning its safety.

Thanks to the commercials, people who didn't know they had a problem are curious now, and doing their own research. OOPS!

I just wrote a post about this with stats and commentary. http://www.thereluctanteater.com/2008/10/proof-sweet-surp ...

]]> Comment #12 by waku2waku http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/ Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:07:22 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/the-bitter-with-the-sweet/12 Diabetics seem to notice a difference with HCFS

At other forums for diabetics, some posts indicate that diabetics experience a difference in their blood sugar levels with high fructose corn syrup compared to cane sugar.

One guy made an experiment out of it. He had HCFS. Measured his blood sugar level. Then he had cane sugar. Measured his blood sugar. His blood sugar level with HCFS was twice as high as his blood sugar level with cane sugar. His comment is just above here http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topics/583967:Topic:261850?pa ... {I couldn't figure out a direct link - sorry}

I've seen posts from Audrae Erickson and the Corn Refiner's Association from the past month at several other blogs and websites. I wish she would reply a second time to this and other people's comments.

And a shout out to sorghum, maple syrup, and honey. That string of comments gave me a laugh.

]]> Diabetics seem to notice a difference with HCFS

At other forums for diabetics, some posts indicate that diabetics experience a difference in their blood sugar levels with high fructose corn syrup compared to cane sugar.

One guy made an experiment out of it. He had HCFS. Measured his blood sugar level. Then he had cane sugar. Measured his blood sugar. His blood sugar level with HCFS was twice as high as his blood sugar level with cane sugar. His comment is just above here http://tudiabetes.com/forum/topics/583967:Topic:261850?pa ... {I couldn't figure out a direct link - sorry}

I've seen posts from Audrae Erickson and the Corn Refiner's Association from the past month at several other blogs and websites. I wish she would reply a second time to this and other people's comments.

And a shout out to sorghum, maple syrup, and honey. That string of comments gave me a laugh.

]]>