By: Kelli

Kelli — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:17:00 +0000

Hi Rachel – thanks so much for your comment and your question. I am sorry for the confusion – this question was originally longer and indicated that HFCS was an ingredient in the asker’s corn syrup – which brings up a key point: if you’re trying to rid your diet of HFCS, you must read every ingredient on labels of processed foods. Many “corn syrups” on the shelves have HFCS as an ingredient. The Karo brand does NOT (when I last checked). But, many generics do. The difference between “corn syrup” and HFCS is that corn syrup has no fructose – it is almost 100% glucose (fructose and glucose are 2 types of sugars with slightly different chemical make-ups). HFCS is enzymatically changed to contain both glucose and fructose (some of the glucose molecules are chemically altered to form fructose) in order to achieve a desired taste and sweetness – more like table sugar, which contains both glucose and fructose. Some HFCS have 42% fructose, some 55%, some 90%. Corn syrup actually has a higher glycemic index (the affect on blood sugar) than HFCS, and is NOT a good choice for a sweetener. However, HFCS may be an even worse choice as its altered chemical make-up may cause more harm in the body – the research I referred to in this post may indicate that the rats’ bodies didn’t recognize it and therefore don’t fill up on it, or that they responded to it differently hormonally, etc (time and more research will likely tell). Bottom line, it’s best to avoid or minimize both corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup (and table sugar, for that matter) in Daily Nutrition. Honey, agave, stevia, and as Kelly pointed out, pure maple syrup!, in limited amounts, are all better choices.

By: Rachel Tibbetts

Rachel Tibbetts — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:32:00 +0000

I’m a bit confused. The question had been about corn syrup but you addressed HFCS. Can you address the differences between Karo type corn syrup and HFCS?

By: Rachel Tibbetts

Rachel Tibbetts — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:32:00 +0000

I’m a bit confused. The question had been about corn syrup but you addressed HFCS. Can you address the differences between Karo type corn syrup and HFCS?

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:13:00 +0000

Being originally from Canada….you know I have to agree with that one, right Kelly? Thanks for your comment.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:40:00 +0000

Coffee and Oatmeal are both excellent when sweetened with pure maple syrup too!!!

Comments on: Corn Syrup

By: Kelli

By: Rachel Tibbetts

By: Rachel Tibbetts

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

By: Kelly