Sugar: the evolution of a forbidden fruit

Re:Sugar: the evolution of a forbidden fruit by shonn on Monday August 11, 2014 @04:38PM (#8165149)

You don't need a tax. Just get rid of the massive subsidy that HFCS gets.

edit: I had meant the indirect subsidy through corn subsidies. I agree that there shouldn't be much of a distinction between HFCS and sugar (fructose) from other sources.

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Re:Sugar: the evolution of a forbidden fruit by a8da6b0c91d on Monday August 11, 2014 @04:42PM (#8165168)

I don't think HFCS gets any subsidies. Corn gets subsidized and there are very high tariffs on imported cane sugar.

HFCS is metabolically identical to white sugar and bobos singling it out are misguided.

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Re:Sugar: the evolution of a forbidden fruit by protopete on Monday August 11, 2014 @05:46PM (#8165503)

HFCS is metabolized primarily by the liver, unlike sugar.

http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/86/4/895.full

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Re:Sugar: the evolution of a forbidden fruit by a8da6b0c91d on Monday August 11, 2014 @05:59PM (#8165542)

HFCS is equal parts fructose and glucose, exactly the same as sugar. Your link indicates no distinction.

HFCS is produced by running corn starch through an enzyme process identical to one that happens in your pancreas. Corn starch is broken up into glucose and then half the glucose is converted to fructose.

Personally I find HFCS drinks have a mild metalic aftertaste whereas sugar doesn't. I don't know what causes it. But HFCS is metabolically exactly the same as white sugar. And neither are "bad" for you.

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Re:Sugar: the evolution of a forbidden fruit by enraged_camel on Monday August 11, 2014 @06:24PM (#8165640)

It's the amount that matters. HFCS is cheaper to produce thanks to corn subsidies and cane sugar tariffs, therefore more of it goes into food, and it goes into more types of food. The tax I proposed above is a way to offset this effect.

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