Corn Syrup vs. Sugar--Which is Better?

Q: I just read this article, which seems to suggest that high-fructose corn syrup really isn’t any worse for you than sugar. Could that be true?

A: There’s been a lot in the media lately about the evils of high-fructose corn syrup, so much so that lobbying groups on behalf of the ingredient (found in almost every packaged product on the grocery store shelf) have started their own public service campaign.

While there isn’t currently evidence to suggest that high fructose syrup as an ingredient directly impacts your health, its effects on the health of the average American have been huge–literally.

The spike in the rates of obesity can be loosely tied to the increased use of HFCS in the food supply. Research suggests that it’s unlikely that the ingredient permanently alters the metabolic system, but its use has made the cost of the foods we consume much cheaper making us grow accustomed to those “biggie” sizes and huge portions. Because we can afford more food, we eat more food. After all, weren’t we all told to clean our plates? I guess mom didn’t count on the plates getting so much bigger.

Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.

Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.

Read more: Diet & Nutrition, Food, corn syrup, diet, health, medical, nutrition, questions, sugar

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Nina A.

7:12AM PDT on Aug 7, 2012

Thanks for the info.

August 7
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Donna H.

2:59PM PDT on Jul 28, 2012

July 28
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Jay S.

11:28AM PDT on Jun 1, 2012

I have type 2 diabetes so I opt for either Splenda or Stevia. Herbal Select Stevia is the best. No bitterness. I think I have tried them all - or most!

June 1
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MarilynBusy W.

11:11AM PDT on Jun 1, 2012

I choose organic sugar or sucanat.
Let's face it, since corn is mostly GMO now, and a lot of sugar is following suit....none of it is GOOD for you. You just have to evaluate it and choose the lesser of the evils.

I think our best bet is to seek the most organic and clean option, and stick with it ...in moderation....until they bastardize it with genes from something that doesn't belong in it.

Carol P.

4:39PM PDT on May 31, 2012

I don't think they are the same at all, though I also think some forms of sugar are worse than others. Processing of any food causes new compounds to form, many of them carcinogenic. Whitened sugar suffers from this so I can only imagine that the heavy-duty chemical processes that high-fructose corn syrup goes through would create several compounds that we don't want in our bodies.

When it comes to gaining weight or caloric counts, sure, I don't doubt that they are similar. But when it comes to causing cancer, I'd bet the corn product is worse.

But I try to avoid adding sugar to anything that I eat. I'll stick to the natural sugars that are found in fresh fruits and vegetables and pass on all of the rest.

May 31
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Amber B.

4:38PM PDT on May 31, 2012

Food is WAY too sweet nowadays. I hate that HFCS is added to EVERYTHING. I go out of my way to buy products that don't contain it, and I generally try to buy things that aren't sweetened at all. I don't eat sweets (cookies, candy, cake, etc) so that isn't that hard for me. the problem for me is when I want to buy something that doesn't even need to be sweetened yet has HFCS in it!! it's ridiculous. All I know is that I avoid it as much as I possibly can.

Mary H.

8:43AM PDT on Aug 9, 2010

I plan to continue to avoid HFCS, although it is ubiquitous and I never am successful at totally avoiding it.

August 9
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Beth C.

5:11PM PDT on Aug 7, 2010

Also-- I don't use cocaine either whether it is white or not.

5:10PM PDT on Aug 7, 2010

A wise man told me that all things that are addictive are white- cocaine, sugar, and flour. These are the most addicting substances ever..how many people say they can't stop eatting bread(flour) or candy(sugar)? I try to limit my bread and only eat those who have at least 5 grams of fiber in it. Sugar it seems is in everything we eat..every processed food product has sugar or HFCS in it.
The main issue with sugars whether raw or processed..they still break down into glucose which your brain and body need to function. It is better to get them via fruits and veggies than sugar itself.
I am now living in Virginia and these people drink sweet tea all the time which is a sugar drink with some tea thrown in for color sakes!

James L.

5:16PM PDT on Aug 4, 2010

Excellent movie on this topic: King Korn
http://www.kingcorn.net/