While I applaud eighth-grader Caleb Jordan for both his interest in nutrition and initiative in writing to your paper, his recent opinion (“High fructose corn syrup,” Academic Advocate, May 7), painted an unflattering – and inaccurate – picture of high fructose corn syrup that deserves clarification for your readers.
Despite the misnomer, HFCS is not high in fructose. A common liquid sweetener that is very similar in composition to table sugar in sweetness, HFCS is made from corn. Further, HFCS is metabolized by the body in the same way as table sugar. Importantly, the body of available science does not support that consuming HFCS-containing foods and beverages is uniquely linked to any health condition.
What is important for your readers to remember is that the key to achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to exercise or be physically active at least 30 minutes daily, and to consume a variety of foods and beverages in moderation.
All beverages, including those that contain HFCS, can fit in a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Craig Stevens, vice president
American Beverage Association, Washington, D.C.
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