Sugar - A Safer Alternative to High Fructose Corn Syrup

Considering the recent, widespread concern about High Fructose Corn Syrup, and the reports of it containing mercury, many parents and consumers, in general, have been opting for products that only contain Sugar, a natural sweetener.  Even the first lady, Michelle Obama, has chosen not to give her children products containing HFCS.

Sugar is produced from cane or beet sugar.  High fructose corn syrup is produced by a complex series of chemical reactions that includes the use of three enzymes and caustic soda.  And alarmingly, Mercury has been reported to be found in as much as 50% of commercial HFCS.  It has been found in many, many products eaten by children.  And with the alarming increase of Autism and developmental disorders, parents should rightfully be concerned.

There has been so much concern since the reports came out about HFCS, that some of the biggest companies in the US food business have begun replacing high fructose corn syrup with old-fashioned sugar.  Kraft Foods recently removed the corn sweetener from its salad dressings and is working on removing it from their Lunchables line of meals and snacks.

Obviously, as with all things, Sugar should be used in moderation.  We get good sugars from the fruits and vegetables we eat and offering children a good supply of these foods will be a much healthier choice than any processed foods.  We, as parents, need to keep these healthy choices on hand.  Back to basics is the best policy.

So, choose the safer alternative, Sugar, when buying any packaged foods.  Your family will be healthier because of your efforts.

To read the story about Mercury in High Fructose Corn Syrup