High Five! 5 Myths About High Fructose Corn Syrup Debunked

Did you know?!

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener used by many companies as an alternative to sucrose (otherwise known as table sugar), containing 24% water and the remainder of fructose and glucose. 

This corn syrup is used in many processed foods and beverages as a cheap alternative to sucrose, while tasting just as sweet.

As the use of High Fructose Corn Syrup is steadily rising, many people have questioned how it compares to the consumption of real table sugar.

Here's a list from our NewMeMD Wellness Team of 5 common myths about High Fructose Corn Syrup, in hopes that we can create a better understanding about what it REALLY is, and how it can affect your weight...

Myth #1: Sugar is healthier than High Fructose Corn Syrup.
What you should REALLY know:
High fructose corn syrup is basically the SAME as sugar in terms of composition and the number of calories-- Therefore our bodies actually absorb them the same way. This means that products which are labeled to appear lower in sugar may NOT always be a healthier alternative.

Myth #2: High Fructose Corn Syrup can be blamed for obesity and diabetes.
What you should REALLY know:
There is no scientific evidence that High Fructose Corn Syrup is the culprit behind ANY medical condition. In fact, the American Medical Association has even concluded that High Fructose Corn Syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity any more than regular table sugar. In other words, it's not the ingredients in foods or drinks which are causing us to gain weight... it's our CHOICES in foods and drinks (as well as the portions!) that we consume on a daily basis.

Myth #3: High Fructose Corn Syrup is used primarily to sweeten foods and beverages.
What you should REALLY know: 
High Fructose Corn Syrup plays a key role in the actual production of foods and beverages, which is many times unrelated to the sweetness of the product. So just because you opt for something salty as a mid-afternoon snack or post-dinner treat does NOT mean it's HFCS-free.

Myth #4: High Fructose Corn Syrup blocks my body’s ability to know when it is full.
What you should REALLY know: 
Multiple studies have shown High Fructose Corn Syrup has similar effects on satiety (or feelings of fullness) as sugar and 1% milk. Translation-- Managing your munchies with products containing HFCS probably won't hold you over in between meals longer. You may, in fact, feel hungrier even sooner!

Myth #5: High Fructose Corn Syrup, fructose & corn syrup are all the same.
What you should REALLY know: 
These three are all different with distinctly different functions. CORN SYRUP is mainly comprised of glucose and is usually used for enhancing the flavor of foods. FRUCTOSE is the sugar found in honey, vine fruits, berries & most root vegetables.When some of the glucose from CORN SYRUP is converted to a synthetic, potently sweet version of FRUCTOSE, that's when you get HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

By having a much better awareness about the foods we eat as well as the ingredients we are putting into our bodies, we can be much wiser about making healthier lifestyle changes...which of course, can yield even bigger WEIGHT LOSS RESULTS (especially in conjunction with one of our medical weight loss programs)!

For more information on healthy dieting options or details about our medical weight loss solutions visit our website at: NewMeMD.com TODAY.

Here's to a healthy 2014!
--The NewMeMD Wellness Team