Are Sodas with Pure Cane Sugar Really Better for You than High Fructose Corn Syrup?
Written by David Marcheschi
Thursday, 08 October 2009 07:06
(Not Yet Rated)
| We all enjoy our beverages on daily basis whether its a soda, energy drink or some new functional beverage. While most of us do not check the ingredient list to see what sweeteners are u | |
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ed in our favorite drink, maybe we should. Do all natural drinks only use pure cane sugar? Is high fructose corn syrup really that bad? While the debate between the type of sweeteners has increased as to their safety we should start by understanding their differences and/or similarities?
by DavidMarcheschi We all enjoy our beverages on daily basis whether its a soda, energy drink or some new functional beverage. While most of us do not check the ingredient list to see what sweeteners are used in our favorite drink, maybe we should. Do all natural drinks only use pure cane sugar? Is high fructose corn syrup really that bad? While the |
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s?
by DavidMarcheschi We all enjoy our beverages on daily basis whether its a soda, energy drink or some new functional beverage. While most of us do not check the ingredient list to see what sweeteners are used in our favorite drink, maybe we should. Do all natural drinks only use pure cane sugar? Is high fructose corn syrup really that bad? While the debate between the type of sweeteners has increased as to their safety we should start by understanding their differences and/or similarities? Pure Cane Sugar Pure Cane Sugar is sugar that has undergone less processing and is often more brown in color than Refined Sugar (the white stuff, also known as Table Sugar). You often find Pure Cane Sugar in health food stores and the Natural aisles in your grocery stores. While Pure Cane Sugar (or Dehydrated Cane Juice) can definitely not be described as being good for you because it is a sweetener, on a scale of bad to less bad, Pure Cane Sugar is one of the better sweeteners you can choose. Because of this, Pure Cane Sugar is often included as the sweetener in beverages that carry the label Natural. High Fructose Corn Syrup High Fructose Corn Syrup, or HFCS, is used in many products we buy every day. It is a heavily processed sweetener comprised mainly of corn syrup, and is more cost efficient than sugar because it is much sweeter in nature than regular sugar and has a much longer shelf life, a real benefit to manufacturers. When reading labels, youll find High Fructose Corn Syrup in many different products from things like soft drinks that you expect to contain sweeteners, to other products like iced tea and juices where its presence might surprise you. And, if you look closely at the labels, youll also notice that sometimes, products that claim to be All Natural have HFCS hidden in the ingredient list, |
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s?
by DavidMarcheschi We all enjoy our beverages on daily basis whether its a soda, energy drink or some new functional beverage. While most of us do not check the ingredient list to see what sweeteners are used in our favorite drink, maybe we should. Do all natural drinks only use pure cane sugar? Is high fructose corn syrup really that bad? While the debate between the type of sweeteners has increased as to their safety we should start by understanding their differences and/or similarities? Pure Cane Sugar Pure Cane Sugar is sugar that has undergone less processing and is often more brown in color than Refined Sugar (th |
| We all enjoy our beverages on daily basis whether its a soda, energy drink or some new functional beverage. While most of us do not check the ingredient list to see what sweeteners are used in our favorite drink, maybe we should. Do all natural drinks only use pure cane sugar? Is high fructose corn syrup really that bad? While the debate between the type of sweeteners has increased as to their safety we should start by understanding their differences and/or similarities?
by DavidMarcheschi We all enjoy our beverages on daily basis whether its a soda, energy drink or some new functional beverage. While most of us do not check the ingredient list to see what sweeteners are used in our favorite drink, maybe we should. Do all natural drinks only use pure cane sugar? Is high fructose corn syrup really that bad? While the debate between the type of sweeteners has increased as to their safety we should start by understanding their differences and/or similarities? Pure Cane Sugar Pure Cane Sugar is sugar that has undergone less processing and is often more brown in color than Refined Sugar (the white stuff, also known as Table Sugar). You often find Pure Cane Sugar in health food stores and the Natural aisles in your grocery stores. While Pure Cane Sugar (or Dehydrated Cane Juice) can definitely not be described as being good for you because it is a sweetener, on a scale of bad to less bad, Pure Cane Sugar is one of the better sweeteners you can choose. Because of this, Pure Cane Sugar is often included as the sweetener in beverages that carry the label Natural. High Fructose Corn Syrup High Fructose Corn Syrup, or HFCS, is used in many products we buy every day. It is a heavily processed sweetener comprised mainly of corn syrup, and is more cost efficient than sugar because it is much sweeter in nature than regular sugar and has a much longer shelf life, a real benefit to manufacturers. When reading labels, youll find High Fructose Corn Syrup in many different products from things like soft drinks that you expect to contain sweeteners, to other products like iced tea and juices where its presence might surprise you. And, if you look closely at the labels, youll also notice that sometimes, products that claim to be All Natural have HFCS hidden in the ingredient list, which makes them not really all that Natural after all. There have been some studies that show that High Fructose Corn Syrup is a big contributor to the obesity epidemic because it is processed differently by the body than other sweeteners like table sugar and Pure Cane Sugar. Some studies have also shown that the way in which HFCS is processed leads the body to produce more fat and also masks the bodys sensation of fullness, so people ingest more than they need to. In addition, it has been theorized that because High Fructose Corn Syrup is hidden in so many different products, we all unknowingly over-consume it. Other conclusions have been drawn that say that HFCS is no less healthy for the body than sugar, and that all sweeteners should be in used in moderation. Even natrual sugar, they say, when consumed in excess of 10% of daily calories can lead to weight gain and obesity. This translates to a mere 50 grams of sugar each day within a diet of 2,000 calories. Of course, even less is better. Ace K Acesulfame pot***ium, more commonly known as Ace-K, is another widely used sweetener that has been targeted at the center of a growing debate. Ace-K is an artificial sweetener comprised of a ***tail of chemicals and additives and is in the same category as sucralose (commonly marketed as Splenda) and aspartame. Artificial sweeteners contain no calories, making them appealing to dieters, diabetics, and anyone who wants the sweet taste of their favorite treats without the calories and fat. Ace-K is commonly used in combination with other artificial sweeteners to heighten the effects. Using more than one sweetener in the same product enhances the overall flavor and allows the diet version of a product to taste as appealing as possible. For diabetics, Ace-K and other artificial sweeteners are especially appealing because they do not raise blood sugar. They also do not contribute to tooth decay as sugar can. These characteristics pose health benefits to those suffering from blood sugar and dental problems, however Ace-K and all similar products should still be used in extreme moderation. Although the debate rages on concerning the safety, taste and consumption of sweeteners of all kinds; they each have one thing in common. No sweetener should be used in very high quantities, whether alone or when found in sodas and food items. Until more conclusive studies have been performed, every sweetener can pose certain disadvantages and advantages to different consumers. About the Author: Imbibe is an industry leader in developing private label teas, energy drinks, energy shots and sodas. Please visit http://www.imbibeinc.com to learn more about who Imbibes.
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