A recent advertising campaign called the "The Truth about HFCS" by the Corn Refiners Association has many nationalist calling foul.
In a series of television commercials, the Corn Refiners Association promotes the benefits of high fructose corn syrup, and directly questions the common thinking that HFCS is unhealthy and leads to obesity.
HFCS is found in many of today's most popular foods and drinks including, soda, sports drinks and salad dressing, crackers and even ketchup."
Liz Stein, a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, thinks the commercials are deceptive and misleading.
"High fructose corn syrup is made of roughly 55 percent fructose
and 45 percent glucose. Since its introduction in the late 1970s, it
has become the preferred sweetener for many food products, mostly
because it is cheap (especially when made with government-subsidized
corn)," she writes on her Blog.
She, along with many other nutritionist, believe that the commercials employ a variety of subtle persuasion techniques similar to tobacco ads.
For instance this commercial that makes the subtle point that HFCS is fine in moderation.
Stein points out that,
- Two of the three enzymes used to make HFCS are genetically modified, in addition to the corn. Not exactly “safe in moderation,” as the commercial says
- It’s hard to have HFCS in moderation as it is found in so many of our foods. Soda for example has about 30 teaspoons of HFCS in it.
- HFCS is not exactly natural. It is not found in nature and just because it is made from corn doesn’t make it safe. There are numerous other “natural” substances that are illegal! HFCS is highly refined.
Editor's Note:
Liz Stein is our nutrition partner. She is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and she offers nutritional counseling, yoga instruction, and personal training for endurance athletes.
Please visit her web site www.appetiteforhelthyliving.com for some great nutritional programs for triathletes.