HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP?

What is high fructose corn syrup?

In the 1970's, Japanese researchers discovered a process that converted cornstarch into a sweetener called high fructose corn syrup (hfcs). It contained 55% fructose, and 45% glucose, which makes it as sweet as sucrose (aka table sugar—about 50% each fructose and glucose). In Canada, hfcs will be identified in ingredient lists as glucose/fructose.

As the price of sugar increased (as most sugar is imported), food processors began to use high fructose corn syrup more often. It is much cheaper, as corn is grown in abundance in Canada and the US. In addition, as the syrup is sweeter than sucrose, less can be used, which is more profitable for manufacturers. Today, many snacks and other processed foods and beverages contain it.

Currently, there is much debate about high fructose corn syrup and its possible influence on health. It is accused of being responsible for the increased obesity rates, of leading to diabetes and raising triglyceride levels which are linked to heart disease. Others say it is no different from sugar.

1. Watch this ad
   1. Who paid for this ad? (1)
   2. What are they saying about hfcs? (1)
   3. Is this group a reliable source of information on hfcs? Explain your answer (2)
   1. Watch this ad
      1. Who paid for this ad? (1)
      2. What are they saying about hfcs? (1)
      3. What were the dates of the two studies mentioned? Are these studies new? (2)
      4. Do these people have knowledge or training that would make them a reliable source of information on hfcs? Explain your answer (2)
      5. What is Archer Daniels Midland? (1)
   2. Read the article from the Mayo Clinic:
      1. What is the Mayo Clinic? (1)
      2. What is their conclusion about hfcs? (1)
   3. Scan this article from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition:
      1. Why would many people tend to trust the content from this publication? (1)
      2. What is the researcher's conclusion about hfcs? (1)
      3. Read the acknowledgements at the end—does this change your perception about the reliability of the author and his study? Explain your answer (2)
   4. What is the most important thing that you have learned after completing this worksheet? Fully explain your answer (5)