Is High Fructose Corn Syrup Unhealthy?

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a ubiquitous ingredient that's used to sweeten foods. Since it has become more prevalent in the American diet, critics of the sweetener have correlated it with the nation's increased rates of obesity and diabetes.

What Is It?

• HFCS is a processed sugar substitute that is produced by converting glucose into fructose. In addition to sweetening foods, it also acts as a preservative that extends a food's shelf life.

Prominence

• HFCS became a choice sweetener for American food manufacturers because it's cheaper to obtain than honey or cane and beet sugars. It is a standard ingredient in processed foods, especially beverages like sodas and fruit drinks.

Criticism

• Much of the backlash against HFCS is because it is an artificially refined ingredient, the product of an elaborate series of chemical reactions. Mercury has even been detected in samples of HFCS, an element that's toxic in all forms.

Research

• Although scientists are still investigating how fructose is metabolized, no major study has conclusively determined HFCS to be more harmful than natural sweeteners. But since research is still under way, it is advisable to consume HFCS only in moderation.

Bottom Line

• HFCS is a common component in foods that are generally high in calories and low in nutritional value. Regular consumption of these foods has been linked to conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.