Not a scientific answer by any means, but I think I had generally figured out that HFCS isn't really much different that sugar, it was just that it was in a LOT of food and people didn't really know it was sugar-like high caloric stuff. I thought all the rucus over HFCS was basically the education that you were eating lots of calories in carbs.

I'd love to know if there's more to it than that.

can someone explain to us dummies exactly what the point is?

I get tired-head trying to figure out why HFCS is "bad." I just know that it is. And by "bad" I mean it is bad just like anything else if you eat/drink way too much of it. (You can get fat eating nothing but carrots . . . if you eat enough.) I *think* HFCS is a manufactured sweetener (ie, 'man-made,' therefore not 'natural'). It is a recent addition to our diet (1980s?) and it is something like 100X sweeter than sugar and a better preservative, cheaper than cane sugar, etc. Don't trust me. I'm not that kind of doctor. Drink your gatorade in moderation and you'll be fine. But be wary of gatorade coming up with an AM/"breafast" branded drink. Just what America needs: HFCS after that "strenuous" workout that 99% of Americans do NOT do in the AM. (On a side note: I get a kick out of people who whine and moan about a few calories from HFCS and then gorge on something else. But they are not as bad as those who prop themselves up for 20 minutes on a Stairmaster at the gym - while talking on the cellphone - then get the protein shake and carb-load bars to 'recover'.)

'"For weight maintenance, nutritionists agree that a sugar is a sugar and that it doesn't matter what your sugar source is. It just matters how much you consume."

Well here is a partial untruth right here - just like carbs, certain sugars have their own impact on blood sugar absorption; HCFS - just like straight glucose - is absorbed immediately into the bloodstream. Have a lot of it and the pancreas sends a large amount of insulin into the body to try to get the glucose absorbed into the body's cells. That insulin can circulate in the body for up to 2hours, so once the initial onslaught of glucose is taken care of you then end up with a blood sugar low, leaving you craving more sweets...and hence the cycle of sugar addiction. Now if they were to add something like xylitol, stevia or agave nextar (the latter is like a honey), the effect on the blood sugar is far more moderate meaning you don't get a blood sugar low and don't crave extra sweet foods after an hour...

In this sport though it seems most of us know where these glucose products belong - and that is in the 40mins after a race or training session when the cells need it. As for the rest of the poor unsuspecting population not exercising and using these drinks unnecessarily...well there's your Type 2 Diabetes and obesity epidemic right there...

Stair steppers - - - As long as they don't take up a lane in the pool while reading that science text it's all live and let live.

As for HFCS... I know Ciff Gel is made with RICE syrup, so other than being made from rice what's the difference? Is the "it's bad for you" because it's corn or because of it's processing? I mean, like, are my tortilla's high fructose already?

I wish I had my powder container next to my desk still (too bad I took it home), but I seem to recall reading that at least the ones that I had didn't list HFCS, but a breakdown of the sugars.

I'll admit to being a bit of a conspiracy theorist on this topic. But my opinions are based on no small amount of research. There are two main dangers associated with HFCS. One is that HFCS circumvents the bodies natural response to feel full (or sick). As a kid, I remember drinking way too much soda--and how it felt afterwards. Nausea or vomiting is a natural defense mechanism preventing us from consuming too much sugar. HFCS circumvents this reaction and allows people to consume far greater quantities of calories before feeling ill. A consumer who can eat more will simply consume more food and spend more money to do so.

Secondly, though sugar is bad for us, all the studies of HFCS are proving that the latter is even worse.

Oh and btw--HFCS is cheaper than sugar, but only in the US. That's only because the US Gov't artificially raises the price of sugar imports to protect corn farmers. If HFCS was cheaper it would be used worldwide, but it's not. I suspect, however, that as countries become more affluent and can afford to eat 2 or 3 times the amount of food they should be, HFCS will move in to ensure that people can comfortably eat more than they should.

http://www.femhealth.com/DangersofHFCS.html
http://www.westonaprice.org/modernfood/highfructose.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Dangers-of-High-Fructose-Corn-Syrup&id=285...

And this is a really good point. HFCS is bad for people who have bad habits... like eating McDonald's three times a day, or saving the bacon grease to fry other foods in, or smoking crack. It is not bad for those who do things in moderation.

But c'mon, a Big Mac, Lg. Fries and Lg. Coke contains 95 Grams of sugar. That's 3.35 ounces. Grab a measuring cup and see how much that is. I'm not an expert but eat that regularly and then cut it out and tell me you want go into withdrawal.

And herein lies the problem. A company with excellent marketing will sell a product with words that have no standard definition. The term "Organic" was defined and standardized long after the word was being used.

Go to Starbucks and look at the muffins. You'll see "reduced fat" and "low fat"... compared to WHAT? The other muffins that have 6000 grams of fat???? But the average person will think... "Hmmm... "low fat", it must be healthly."... right? Or how about the yogurt with fruit, it's packed in corn syrup to make it sweet. But people think it must be healthy because yogurt and fruit are healthy... right?

"Healthy Choice" - Compared to what? Read the ingredients.
"Heart Conscious" - Yes, I have one... good job... you win a gold star.

Crap... I'm ranting now.

Ah... what we're getting into here is, well...

I guess here is where I recommend that you read Food Politics by Marion Nestle. It is one of the most informative and interesting books I have ever read about nutrition. She was a part of the advisory panel that formed the "food pyramid" and she speaks candidly about the efforts of government and lobbyists to make their products more prominent.

In fact, the entire American food culture is designed around the food pyramid which is designed to promote an "eat more" philosophy. Read the book. It's a bit dry, but you'll never look at food the same way again.

I always think that about Simple Green... and I've never even see the movie.

Come on! You don't know about Soylent Green?! Wow. I thought everybody knew about advanced methods of recycling ;-)

I know it is supposed to be Soylent Green (if that was directed at me). I was just commenting that I always think Simple Green is made of people... like when I clean my bike. The names have just joined in my brain ;)

Oddly enough I always had Simple Green linked with Agent Orange in my head... :-)

Since this thread has gone downhill anyway, here's some extra momentum: LINK!

I'll continue the bizarre threadjack with this comment:
There is a software program we use at work to create paperwork needed for a mix.
The software is called "Agent Orange". The programmer, realized just how many thousands of sheets of paper were going to be used. Therefore the destruction of trees... Agent Orange
http://www.soundepartment.com/agent_orange/
His explanation is towards the bottom of this link.

well... I thought it was funny.

OK. Back on topic. If you find yourself wanting Gatorade with your lunch and you haven't worked out yet that day, You are probably a HFCS addict. Not sure who you call to get help.