What’s your take on corn syrup vs came sugar in Coke thingi?

[Brainonska511]

Yes there are enzymes that break down sucrose through hydrolysis but acid hydrolysis will do the same thing. IOW, in the presence of an acid the bond between glucose and fructose in sucrose will break down. In the end you'll be consuming the same thing.

As a biophysical chemist, I personally always thought this debate was kind of dumb (HFCS vs sucrose), but couldn't readily find information on the kinetics of acid hydrolysis of sucrose (admittedly, I didn't look too hard). However, I always suspected that the acidic conditions of soda would just lead to sucrose breaking down into its constituent monosaccharides on the shelf - it's a soluble molecule with relatively high accessibility at the ether bond; no reason that reaction should be particularly slow in acidic conditions at room temperature (and it also sits on the shelf for some time after manufacturing). Throw in the fact that your body pretty much always has sucrases around and your stomach is acidic as well, I don't see it having much of a difference from a biology standpoint.

The biggest problem with all this stuff should always have been obvious: you're drinking a big glass of acidic sugar. It's just not going to be good for you if you're doing this all the time. People are looking for some magic health silver bullet to stop obesity, but surprise surprise, there probably isn't one.

 

[Paratus]

This was a not a turn I was expecting the thread to take and I am here for it.

 

[brycejones]

To be healthy one just needs to start drinking beef tallow and cane sugar smoothies it seems.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

When it comes to HFCS vs regular sugar (whether it's from beets or sugar canes) it makes no difference health wise at all.

Counterpoint: if you're intolerant to fructose, you can often have it if it's paired with an equal amount of glucose. If the fructose quantity is higher, a sufficient quantity (from my experience, one soda) is enough to cause you problems.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

To be healthy one just needs to start drinking beef tallow and cane sugar smoothies it seems.

Mix the tallow with beans and rice and toss in a multivitamin and you'll be in business

 

[TheGermanChemist]

Counterpoint: if you're intolerant to fructose, you can often have it if it's paired with an equal amount of glucose. If the fructose quantity is higher, a sufficient quantity (from my experience, one soda) is enough to cause you problems.

It's pretty much the same amount of fructose either way.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

It's pretty much the same amount of fructose either way.

Sugar is 50% fructose, 50% glucose. HFCS is either -42 or -55, containing either 42% or 55%, so they aren't the same chemically.

 

[TheGermanChemist]

Sugar is 50% fructose, 50% glucose. HFCS is either -42 or -55, containing either 42% or 55%, so they aren't the same chemically.

It's close enough to not matter. The amount would matter regardless of which you would consume. I mean... If you have a fructose intolerance, how about neither?

 

[TheGermanChemist]

What is a "linked" version of two molecules? Sucrose is made up of glucose and fructose linked by a covalent (shared electrons) bond, more specifically a glycosidic bond (as Amused already said). I have no idea what you are talking about for HFCS being a "linked version of the two sugars". Do you mean they are hydrogen bonded or something? All the information I can find says they are separate, unbound (to each other) molecules in HFCS.

Here is a link from the FDA concerning the question: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/high-fructose-corn-syrup-questions-and-answers

Tried to respond, bot says no way mate... I'll PM you instead.

 

[TheGermanChemist]

As a biophysical chemist, I personally always thought this debate was kind of dumb (HFCS vs sucrose), but couldn't readily find information on the kinetics of acid hydrolysis of sucrose (admittedly, I didn't look too hard). However, I always suspected that the acidic conditions of soda would just lead to sucrose breaking down into its constituent monosaccharides on the shelf - it's a soluble molecule with relatively high accessibility at the ether bond; no reason that reaction should be particularly slow in acidic conditions at room temperature (and it also sits on the shelf for some time after manufacturing). Throw in the fact that your body pretty much always has sucrases around and your stomach is acidic as well, I don't see it having much of a difference from a biology standpoint.

The biggest problem with all this stuff should always have been obvious: you're drinking a big glass of acidic sugar. It's just not going to be good for you if you're doing this all the time. People are looking for some magic health silver bullet to stop obesity, but surprise surprise, there probably isn't one.

I'm a doctor of biochemistry myself and of molecular biology so I'm pleased to meet one of my own kind. We are rare but we are exceptionally beautiful creatures.

I can find nothing wrong regarding anything you say here at all, in fact I think I've said most of it myself. I think the problem with this whole discussion is mainly ignorance and thinking that if you got your calories from sucrose rather than HFCS that would fix things.

We're still bound to chemistry and in the end as both you and me can agree, I'm sure, there is no reason to drink your food.

 

[TheGermanChemist]

@ondma I don't get how this forum works, you DM me instead.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

It's close enough to not matter. The amount would matter regardless of which you would consume. I mean... If you have a fructose intolerance, how about neither?

Tell that to my ass when I'm shitting it out. See below since you missed it the first time.

Counterpoint: if you're intolerant to fructose, you can often have it if it's paired with an equal amount of glucose. If the fructose quantity is higher, a sufficient quantity (from my experience, one soda) is enough to cause you problems.

 

[Amused]

Tell that to my ass when I'm shitting it out. See below since you missed it the first time.

So 5% makes that much of a difference?

When you have HFCS in foods does it happen?

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

So 5% makes that much of a difference?

When you have HFCS in foods does it happen?

I won't 100% claim it does since I haven't done an inordinate amount of testing (toilet paper is expensive) but I have had significant digestive issues from even a single can of soda, compared to say, cake I made myself, or ice cream I know was made from real sugar. I'm just saying that if a single blackberry can put me in the bathroom for the rest of the day, I wouldn't claim that an almost 20% difference (55% vs 45%) wouldn't make a difference.

EDIT and yeah I stay away from most sugary things as a rule, but you won't catch me horfing down snickers or anything like that.

 

[cytg111]

god damn, glad I visited this thread again. Good stuff.

 

[Muse]

Any kind of cola is bad for you.

 

[hal2kilo]

Any kind of cola is bad for you.

Used to swill lots of sugar free caffeine free Coke. Now, just drink 2 cups of black coffee in the AM, and drink Brita filtered water throughout the day.

 

[DaaQ]

I won't 100% claim it does since I haven't done an inordinate amount of testing (toilet paper is expensive) but I have had significant digestive issues from even a single can of soda, compared to say, cake I made myself, or ice cream I know was made from real sugar. I'm just saying that if a single blackberry can put me in the bathroom for the rest of the day, I wouldn't claim that an almost 20% difference (55% vs 45%) wouldn't make a difference.

EDIT and yeah I stay away from most sugary things as a rule, but you won't catch me horfing down snickers or anything like that.

Yea I had to talk to my brother who became allergic to corn at the age of 40, we couldn't figure out for about 4 months why he would get sick and couch stricken for long periods of time when him and my mother stayed with me. Took about 3-4 months to determine he became allergic to corn. Had to change his whole diet. This is the guy that would eat all the Doritos in the bag when I was a youngling.

EDIT: I talked to him if a single bottle of Coke would mess his gut up. He said that he only drinks the Diet Coke now but yea regular Coke would be bothersome. Just to reiterate your point.

 

[Muse]

Used to swill lots of sugar free caffeine free Coke. Now, just drink 2 cups of black coffee in the AM, and drink Brita filtered water throughout the day.

I was a black coffee guy for a long time. These days I add some nonfat milk.

I'd have a diet cola with dinner for years. One day, exiting a Costco with a cart including a case of diet cola the Costco employee whose job it was to certify my receipt just flat out told me that wasn't good for me! Yeah, people working retail aren't supposed to say things like that to customers!!! But he was the coolest, absolutely. That was the last time I ever bought any soda to bring home. It sat for years in my house and when I went to drink a can it tasted awful. I think it has a shelf life, actually. Anyway, I don't drink soda anymore. I tried a coke in a restaurant a few years ago. Did NOT like it.

 

[Moonbeam]

I was a black coffee guy for a long time. These days I add some nonfat milk.

I'd have a diet cola with dinner for years. One day, exiting a Costco with a cart including a case of diet cola the Costco employee whose job it was to certify my receipt just flat out told me that wasn't good for me! Yeah, people working retail aren't supposed to say things like that to customers!!! But he was the coolest, absolutely. That was the last time I ever bought any soda to bring home. It sat for years in my house and when I went to drink a can it tasted awful. I think it has a shelf life, actually. Anyway, I don't drink soda anymore. I tried a coke in a restaurant a few years ago. Did NOT like it.

What would you think of fresh lemon juice, soda water with or without bitters, and pure organic stevia or organic vanilla extract instead of lemon?

I have found 100% organic Stevia hard to find and am not sure of it's effect on health but it seems it should be OK. I make the above drinks for myself sometimes.

 

[sdifox]

How on earth can Stevia be organic?

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

How on earth can Stevia be organic?

It comes from a plant, it can be done with organic practices.

 

[sdifox]

It comes from a plant, it can be done with organic practices.

oops, was thinking of Splenda

 

[Muse]

I do consume some stevia, have a lot in the fridge, a bit in a tiny bottle outside the fridge. I use very little, averaging probably not more than 1/2 teaspoon/week. I heard some negative info about stevia. I eat sugar in moderation.

Does stevia have any side effects? Using stevia as a sugar substitute can reduce calories in foods and drinks, but it may also have some adverse effects. Possible side effects include nausea, bloating, low blood pressure, and hormone disruption.

 

[Paratus]

I do consume some stevia, have a lot in the fridge, a bit in a tiny bottle outside the fridge. I use very little, averaging probably not more than 1/2 teaspoon/week. I heard some negative info about stevia. I eat sugar in moderation.

Does stevia have any side effects? Using stevia as a sugar substitute can reduce calories in foods and drinks, but it may also have some adverse effects. Possible side effects include nausea, bloating, low blood pressure, and hormone disruption.

Depending on formulations there is some evidence for increased cardiovascular risks:

• Raise heart attack and stroke risks, because it's often mixed with erythritol, which has been found to increase these risks

What Is Stevia?

Get the scoop on stevia, a natural, no-calorie sweetener.

www.webmd.com