Originally Posted by Martian

I'm definitely going to have to call shenanigans on all this crap.

High fructose corn syrup is exactly what it sounds like; namely, it's fructose, a type of sugar. It will not eat your children, give you toenail cancer or summon the debil. But instead of just saying that, let's look at the science, shall we?

High fructose corn syrup contains a mixture of glucose and fructose; the exact ratio depends on the formula in question and can vary from 45% fructose to 90% fructose. According to my reading, there are several different formulae in use which makes it difficult to put an exact number on it. Glucose and fructose are both monosaccharides with a chemical formula of C6H12O6. Sucrose, on the other hand, (commonly known as cane sugar) is a disaccharide and consists of one glucose and one fructose molecule in a weak bond. Upon exposure to acid, such as that in our stomaches, sucrose rapidly breaks down into glucose and fructose, and is then metabolized. In terms of how it's metabolized, high fructose corn syrup differs from sucrose only in the ratio of glucose to fructose; in soft drinks this ratio is usually 55% glucose to 45% fructose, as opposed to a 50-50 from cane sugar. I have yet to find any conclusive evidence that fructose is any better or worse than glucose, although admittedly I've only been reading since this morning.

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