Which is worse: partially hydrogenated oil or high fructose corn syrup? (ingredient, substitute)

[nep321]

Now that the FDA has decided to ban partially hydrogenated oils (PHO's) from ALL manufactured foods beginning in 2018, I have also started to research about high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Apparently, HFCS is also very unhealthful and can be found in numerous processed foods. I believe it might be a matter of time before the FDA bans this as well.

But I'm just curious....WHICH of the two (HFCS or PHO) is worse for your health and why?

[JustMike77]

Sounds like a Winston vs. Marlboro comparison. If you're at all concerned, I would avoid them both.

[elnina]

They are both bad in their own category...

Following the Food & Drug Administration’s recent decision that it no longer considers the man-made additive “partially hydrogenated oils,” (commonly referred to as “trans fat”) safe, consumer groups and independent doctors are now targeting the highly controversial sugar substitute High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) as the most dangerous ingredient in the nation’s food supply.
https://www.citizens.org/high-fructo...new-trans-fat/

[DontH8Me]

I avoid both with the same zeal.

[Gerania]

Neither of them are good, and we'd be better off without them. Kinda gives soup a bad name.

[vision33r]

In equal amounts Partially hydrogenated oil is worst, I'm sure anyone has drank sodas full of hfc but you can't eat that much oils without feeling like puking.

[IslandCityGirl]

Which is scarier: being surrounded by hungry lions or swimming in a feeding frenzy of sharks? Hmm... Well, are you more afraid of lions or sharks? Do you look more like a gazelle or a tuna? Point: This is a very subjective thread that asks the wrong questions.

HFC's are essentially sucrose (a sugar found in a lot fruits, maple syrup, beets...) and have been clinically shown to affect the body in essentially the same way (blood sugar levels, metabolic activity...). Oh, so HFC's are okay, then? Um, no. Sugar, esp. refined sugar is an empty calorie that has contributed to obesity, diabetes, and hormone imbalances. HFC is just one sugar (of many) that is a culprit in these areas. Is it "bad?" Well, don't go drinking it by the gallon (some people do... See: soda)!! Human studies have shown repeatedly that refined sugar is refined sugar is refined sugar. HFC's don't appear to be worse than other sugars, but more research wouldn't hurt.

Trans-fats are hydrogenated vegetable fats that mimic the behavior of saturated fats (animal fat). Technically, cholesterol is only present in animal fats. We know cholesterol messes up our arteries and hearts, so we decided that saturated fats (animal fats) are bad, and that we could "cheat" and be healthy by altering vegetable fats (another stupid, American diet trend). Unfortunately, when we hydrogenated (or partially hydrogenated) the vegetable fats, it turns out we made them behave like saturated fats in our bodies (duh?). They have been overwhelmingly shown to increase LDL (low density cholesterol) levels. So, basically, they do the work of cholesterol without technically containing any. Additionally, these trans-fats increase blood triglyceride and lipoprotein levels (read: clogged arteries & heart attacks). A LOT of clinical, human research on trans-fats exists (much, much more than for HFC's). It all supports this info with significance, which is why the FDA finally took measures to remove it from our diets. Almost half of Americans die from heart disease... No Bueno.

So... are you more susceptible to diabetes or high cholesterol? Are you more concerned about obesity or clogged arteries? It's not a question as to which one is "worse." That said, there is more, definitive research to back up the negative effects that are specific to trans-fats. At this point, it appears you're not gaining yourself anything by eliminating HFC's from your diet, but then still eating a bunch of sugar. You're also not gaining a heck of a lot by eliminating trans-fat and eating a bunch of pig fat. There are other nuances to how all of these compounds behave, but I won't get into it here. Bottom line: there is no "worse" between the two. Excess sugar is bad. Excess saturated* and trans-fat is bad. Which one is worse probably depends on your genetics and amount of consumption. Eat more vegetables and moderate the rest.

*Dairy fat has some unique, beneficial fatty acids, but that's for another conversation, and it's still not exactly health food.

[lubby]

Both are bad IMO. I try and avoid foods with HFC's and so far have been successful in finding those items such as BBQ sauce, ketchup, certain cereals, I only use real maple syrup ect...

[Dirt Grinder]

Which is worse?

• Believing everything you read
• Understanding what you read

Knowledge is power.

[vision33r]

Many foods have both like oreo cookie.