I admit, I cheated.
Corn syrup on its own is not exactly harmful, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is. But the omission was due to, well, "aesthetic" reasons. Heheh.
I have to say, this week's story on HFCS is one of the most fascinating yet. Just read how it all came about.
Back in the 1970s, due to the influx of foreign imports, farmers in the United States were having problems selling... corn. Due to public pressure, the US government gave the go-ahead for the manufacture of a revolutionary substance known as high fructose corn syrup. Touted as the new sweetener which is (1) cheap and (2) long-lasting, it seemed like a win-win situation for the government, farmers and consumers.
Now, little known to consumers is the fact that in laboratory tests, HFCS caused male rats to never fully develop their testicles. Their female counterparts were not spared too, with some of them dying as their hearts expanded and exploded after consumption of HFCS.
And now, preliminary research has shown that HFCS could contain substances that can cause obesity, diabetic complications, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
And I was wondering, surely after all these news, no manufacturer on earth can include such an ingredient in their products?
I was dead wrong.
Here's a list of just some popular ones (kudos to Accidental Hedonist):
A&W Root Beer
Post Blueberry Morning Cereal
Ben and Jerry's ice cream
Capri Sun juices
Snapple juices
and...
Robitussin's cough syrups.
Cough syrups! It's a rather disturbing logical connection. Cure the cough, get diabetes.
Just to make sure, I grabbed a bottle of Snapple's from the friendly neighbourhood mart.
And it's true:
For "artificially flavoured" fruit juice lovers out there, it's time to pick a new favourite. But as usual, Benjy is here to make things simple for you.
I proudly present you,
The Ribena Soda Fizz
In 5 easy steps:
1. Get a nice clean glass.
2. Pour in 3/4 can of soda water.
3. Add two tablespoons of Ribena Light (you seriously can do without the extra fructose)
4. Top up with ice cubes.
5. Enjoy!
If the normal Ribena cordial was too ordinary for you, this fizzy version will prove to be an interesting experience. Extremely smooth on the tastebuds, but just enough carbon dioxide to perk things up.
Corn syrup on its own is not exactly harmful, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is. But the omission was due to, well, "aesthetic" reasons. Heheh.
I have to say, this week's story on HFCS is one of the most fascinating yet. Just read how it all came about.
Back in the 1970s, due to the influx of foreign imports, farmers in the United States were having problems selling... corn. Due to public pressure, the US government gave the go-ahead for the manufacture of a revolutionary substance known as high fructose corn syrup. Touted as the new sweetener which is (1) cheap and (2) long-lasting, it seemed like a win-win situation for the government, farmers and consumers.
Now, little known to consumers is the fact that in laboratory tests, HFCS caused male rats to never fully develop their testicles. Their female counterparts were not spared too, with some of them dying as their hearts expanded and exploded after consumption of HFCS.
And now, preliminary research has shown that HFCS could contain substances that can cause obesity, diabetic complications, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
And I was wondering, surely after all these news, no manufacturer on earth can include such an ingredient in their products?
I was dead wrong.
Here's a list of just some popular ones (kudos to Accidental Hedonist):
A&W Root Beer
Post Blueberry Morning Cereal
Ben and Jerry's ice cream
Capri Sun juices
Snapple juices
and...
Robitussin's cough syrups.
Cough syrups! It's a rather disturbing logical connection. Cure the cough, get diabetes.
Just to make sure, I grabbed a bottle of Snapple's from the friendly neighbourhood mart.
And it's true:
For "artificially flavoured" fruit juice lovers out there, it's time to pick a new favourite. But as usual, Benjy is here to make things simple for you.
I proudly present you,
The Ribena Soda Fizz
In 5 easy steps:
1. Get a nice clean glass.
2. Pour in 3/4 can of soda water.
3. Add two tablespoons of Ribena Light (you seriously can do without the extra fructose)
4. Top up with ice cubes.
5. Enjoy!
If the normal Ribena cordial was too ordinary for you, this fizzy version will prove to be an interesting experience. Extremely smooth on the tastebuds, but just enough carbon dioxide to perk things up.
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