Food Myths Busted!

There are many myths and misconceptions that are floating around about food. These myths, when believed, can hurt the agriculture industry and the people consuming the food. One might say that if consumers believe these myths then they are just "being on the safe side" and not taking a risk. The truth of the matter is that consumers that believe these risks are going to put unnecessary time and money into avoiding what they mistakenly believe to be true. Here are some food myths that are widely believed but not necessarily true.

Myth #1: High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is bad for you.

The truth behind this myth is that HFCS is not all that different from regular table sugar. The key is moderation. If you eat excessive amounts of table sugar, it is not good for you. The same goes for HFCS. In fact, if you look at the chemical makeup of table sugar (50 percent fructose and 50 percent glucose) and HFCS (55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose) there is only a 5 percent difference. If you were to eat enough HFCS to make that five percent matter then you are probably eating it in excess. Everything is fine in moderation.

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Myth #2: Organic foods are more nutritious than conventional foods and GMOs.

This myth has been a very hot topic, especially with the rise of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The truth is that about 60-70 percent of all the food in the world is genetically modified in some form and nobody has died due to genetic modification. Another important thing to consider is that genetic modification already occurs in nature. Scientists are just able to speed the process up a little more and make the process more predictable. The reason for genetic modification is to make crops more resistant to pests and weather conditions as well as produce a higher yield. 

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One reason that people give to buy organically raised foods is the of trace amounts of pesticide. While you should wash all your produce carefully before consuming, consider the fact that organic producers use types of pesticides as well. Both methods of production are beneficial to agriculture but there is really no difference in the nutritional value of the food itself. 

Myth #3: Coffee is unhealthy and addictive and therefore should be avoided.

Coffee sometimes gets a bad rap for being unhealthy because some people get addicted to it and it is high in caffeine. The truth is that coffee is probably one of the healthiest parts of our daily lives. Believe it or not, coffee actually contains more antioxidants than fruits and vegetables combined! Coffee also has been shown to reduce the risk for depression, Alzheimer's, and even help you live a little longer 

So next time you're in the break room getting your morning fix feel no shame in pouring yourself an nice cup of morning motivation. You are making a healthy decision and if you are anything like me, you have an assurance that you will make it through that rough Monday.

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