Did you know that Americans ate next to no high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) before 1970? Today, the average American eats 60 pounds of HFCS a year. That is a big change in only four decades for a product where we are still unsure of the long-term health effects.

Q: Is there a connection between high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and obesity?

A: Research shows that there may be connections between obesity and HFCS when we eat or drink a lot of it. Because HFCS is the main sweetener in most soft drinks and one of the most frequent ingredients in processed foods, Americans consume more of it than other sugars. The graph above shows two parallel trends in the US: the increase in the use of HFCS has mirrored the increase in the obesity rates.

Q: Why there is so much HFCS in American foods?

A: HFCS is used in so many different products that most of us don't even know we're eating it! And the average American is eating 60 pounds per year, HFCS, like most things, might be okay in moderation, but because the government gives the corn industry money, in the form of tax breaks and hand-outs, HFCS is incredibly cheap, which is why it is used in so many American products. Cheap food often isn't good food.

Q: Where is HFCS hiding?

A: Because HFCS is so inexpensive, it is used in a lot of food such as the following common items:

• Most Sodas
• Iced Tea
• Cookies
• Cereal
• Salad dressing
• Canned soup
• Cheese spread
• Yogurt
• Peanut butter
• Bread
• Crackers

Check out these articles on healthy food for more information on what food is good for you and where to find healthier food in Harlem: http://www.gethealthyharlem.org/category/additional-tags/healthy-food