It is likely a no-brainer to many in natural health world that processed, refined sweeteners like white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) are unhealthy. Studies continue to show that these toxic sweeteners lead to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other serious illness. But in the mainstream world, these is still somehow a debate over whether or not these toxins are actually harmful, and over which one is preferable.

It should come as no surprise that the biggest defenders of processed sugar and HFCS are the industries that produce them. Of course the Corn Refiners Association is now spending big money marketing HFCS as safe – after all, it is one of their primary cash cows. Some of this group’s untruthful claims include alleging that HFCS is natural – because it comes from corn – and that it is safe in moderation.

Most people with even the slightest bit of understanding into the subject wholly disagree with such claims. So does the myriad of scientific studies that indicate that processed sweeteners like HFCS are partially responsible for America’s growing disease and obesity epidemic.

Even the American Heart Association agrees that excessive sugar is harmful, as do many nutrition experts who recognize the dangers associated with excessive sugar consumption. There is still a problem, though. The battle is mainly between processed sugar and HFCS and whether or not one is healthier than the other, not whether there is a difference between highly-refined and natural sugars.

Most of the Western world seems to adhere to an ideology that makes no differentiation between refined and unrefined, but rather assesses health based on the number of calories a person consumes. Many so-called nutrition experts agree, claiming that low-to-moderate intake of sugar and HFCS should not be a problem as long as calorie-intake is kept in the proper range.