Advertisement @ High Fructose Corn Syrup

[bounceswoosh]

I saw that ad and also had an instant "WTF?" reaction. It's appalling. And then I thought, wait, why *are* we supposed to avoid it, other than that it's a processed food (which is definitely a strong argument against it in my book)? Anyone have any solid facts?

This mayo clinic article against HF corn syrup isn't exactly brimming with awfulness:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hig...-syrup/AN01588

Here's an article on why rampant corn growth is bad for the ecosystem:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...030603294.html

Here's an article on how it can make you fat:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...DGS24VKMH1.DTL

[bmccasland]

For what it's worth - sugarcane isn't an environmently friendly crop either. One of the biggest sources of sediments and chemicals in our bayous are the sugarcane fields. And they get away with it. The land owners aren't called "Big Sugar" for nothing.

But I'd rather have cane sugar than high fructose corn syrup.

And let the cows eat the field corn. Me, I enjoyed an ear of sweet corn for dinner last night.

[dachshund]

Why "ew" to traditionally farmed animals? What does "traditionally" mean to you? And animals have been fed corn forever. Matter of fact, our farm grows its own corn to feed to its own animals - feed and animal right on the same farm cutting out much of the transportation cost.

Growing food to produce fuel is a new one to our human history, but not feeding corn to animals.

Not that this was directed at me, but I'm adding my 2 cents anyway.

I thought the problem with corn was specifically with cows. They have rumens and are "designed" to eat grass. A total corn diet can make them sick, hence the reason for antibiotics. But this is usually mentioned along with the factory-farming situation, where they're kept in close quarters, and fed some fairly noxious stuff along with the corn.

In my mind, "traditionally farmed" means less fertilizer and pesticides along with proper diet and some amount of grazing. You know, the whole "happy cow" scenario. :-) But I just read about farming, I don't have any first-hand knowledge.

It's interesting that the "Corn Refiners Association" is paying for advertising. Maybe the rise in diabetes has finally gotten some attention? I suppose that's too much to hope for. They're probably just suffering under the current economic conditions. But HFCS is supposed to have some interesting molecular characteristics that contribute to obesity and diabetes.

[SadieKate]

It's that term "traditionally farmed" that can mean so many things.

Our cows are sure not fed a pure corn diet; they're in a pasture and get silage in winter (a mixture of corn with grasses) which is a pretty old "traditional" practice originating with the Greeks and Romans.