High Maltose Corn Syrup (HMCS) is being used as an alternative to High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) for adding "sweetness" to packaged foods without compromising shelf life. HMCS is similar to HFCS as it remains a product of genetically modified corn processing but the chemical make up is different as maltose is a disaccharide and fructose is a monosaccharide. Each type of these sugars are digested differently in the body.
The HMCS variety is found in many foods including: candies, cookies, granola bars, puddings, teas, coffee drinks, powdered drinks and as the base of some artificial sweeteners. This new food additive has been subject to very little research so it is not known whether it may be more or less harmful than HFCS.
Americans consume exponential amounts of sugar on a daily basis whether it is in a natural form, genetically modified, artificial or processed and our main focus should be reducing our overall "sweet" intake rather than finding ways to mask "sugar" with new formulas and terminology. Beverages are the most common culprit for sweeteners in the American diet.
Here are a few tips for decreasing the need to satisfy your sweet tooth when it comes to wetting the palate:
- Opt for Ice Cold water over sugar sweetened beverages.
- Try naturally flavored tea instead of coffee and tea latte drinks or hot chocolate.
- Add cucumber slices to your water for refreshment.
- Choose a fruit flavored beer rather than a sugary margarita or sweetened malt beverage.
- Plain sparkling water will refresh your sense.
- Reserve juice consumption to replace a fruit serving one time per day or less - 6 oz maximum.
- Add cinnamon to your coffee instead of sugar or flavored creamers.
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