I just read the question in your online archive about whether Coca-Cola once contained cocaine, toward the end of which you mention the substitution years ago (before I was born, in fact) of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for sugar in Coke. These days, HFCS is found in not just Coca-Cola but most sodas, candy, juices, sauces, ketchup, jelly, bread, yogurt, etc–it’s in everything. My boyfriend hates HFCS and goes out of his way to buy products that do not use it, which can be a bitch to find sometimes. His claims are twofold: one, that increased use of HFCS is a major factor in the obesity problem in this country, because it’s processed differently by the body, and two, that increased use of HFCS is a result of pressure from corn growers. I am inclined to believe him. Certainly, trying to eliminate HFCS from my diet has improved the quality of the food I eat. But others remain unconvinced. Straight dope, please. –Coco, via e-mail
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I would love to back up your boyfriend on this one, because in my opinion Coke hasn’t been the same since the company ditched sugar for corn syrup. However, let’s examine the logic here: (1) Americans are way fatter than they used to be. (2) We’re eating more and exercising less, two guaranteed ways to put on the pounds. (3) Ergo, the problem is an obscure difference in sugar chemistry. You don’t need to be Socrates to realize this conclusion is a bit of a reach.
Is that increase due strictly to the allure of HFCS? Not likely. Sales of diet pop have increased at an even faster rate than that of the sugared kind, suggesting that we’re not just overdoing HFCS-sweetened foods, we’re consuming too much sweetened everything. Supersized portions and changes in eating habits no doubt partly explain why–the percentage of food kids get from restaurants and fast-food outlets increased almost 300 percent between 1977 and 1996. Critser’s book includes a graphic showing that the rise in U.S. obesity roughly paralleled the rate at which junk-food products were introduced. Lack of exercise is a factor too. Obesity is lowest among kids who watch an hour or less of TV daily, highest among those who watch four hours or more.
