There are many clashing views in Food and Nutrition. One of them is the issue of high fructose corn syrup (HCFS). Joseph Mercola strongly considers HFCS more deadly than sugar due to the ways that the body converts fructose to fat. He accuses the Corn Refiners Association of trying to convince us that their HFCS is equal to table sugar. The Corn Refiners Association claims that HFCS has no adverse health effect and it is the same as sucrose and honey. They also emphasize the benefits that HFCS provides to food.
Important Dates: 1970s High Fructose corn syrup use in the United States began. 1980s HFCS is used in all non-diet soft drinks in the United States. Please review and research the two thoughts and include your opinion in the discussion post. Things to think about are: effects to health, links to diabetes, fructose from fruit, is there a link between the introduction of HFCS and the rise of obesity in the past 30 years? Does HFCS affect the feeling of fullness? You do not need to respond to each of these just include your thoughts!
Please view a clip from “Saturday Night Live” mocking the clashing views. It is located at “Saturday Night Live Corn Syrup Commercial”. Be sure to view the entire clip and include your thoughts in the post!
If you were unable to view the clip please copy and paste this link into your browser.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The issue of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and its impact on human health has been the subject of much debate in recent years. On one hand, there are proponents of the belief that HFCS is more harmful than sugar due to the way it is metabolized in the body. On the other hand, the Corn Refiners Association argues that HFCS has no adverse health effects and is essentially the same as other sweeteners like sucrose and honey. This assignment requires students to evaluate these conflicting views and form their own opinions on the matter, considering factors such as health effects, links to diabetes, the role of fructose from fruits, the possible correlation between HFCS and the rise in obesity rates, and the impact of HFCS on the feeling of fullness.
Answer:
The debate surrounding high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is complex and multifaceted, and it is necessary to carefully review the arguments on both sides before forming an opinion. Joseph Mercola strongly believes that HFCS is more harmful than sugar because of the way fructose is converted to fat in the body. He accuses the Corn Refiners Association of misleading the public by claiming that HFCS is equal to table sugar.
On the other hand, the Corn Refiners Association argues that HFCS has no adverse health effects and is essentially the same as other sweeteners like sucrose and honey. They also emphasize the benefits that HFCS provides to the food industry.
In my opinion, the truth lies somewhere in between. While it is true that excessive consumption of added sugars, including HFCS, can have negative health effects such as weight gain and an increased risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, it is important to note that it is the overall dietary pattern and calorie intake that play a significant role in health outcomes.
Furthermore, it is essential to consider the amount of fructose consumed from different sources, including fruits. Fructose from fruits is accompanied by fiber and other beneficial nutrients, which can attenuate its negative metabolic effects. Therefore, it would be inappropriate to solely blame HFCS for the rise in obesity rates over the past 30 years. Factors such as increased portion sizes, sedentary lifestyles, and the overall imbalance of the diet also contribute significantly.
Additionally, it is worth exploring the potential impact of HFCS on the feeling of fullness. Some studies suggest that HFCS may not stimulate satiety hormones to the same extent as other sweeteners, potentially leading to increased calorie consumption. However, more research is needed to fully understand this effect and its practical implications.
Overall, it is important to approach the debate on HFCS with critical thinking and consider all the available evidence. While it is reasonable to limit the consumption of added sugars, demonizing a single ingredient may oversimplify the complex nature of nutrition and health.
