According to Bloomberg, the American Heart Association recommends a limit of 29 pounds of added sugar per year for men and 20 pounds for women. However, the USDA reported that in 2016, the average American consumed a staggering 128 pounds of sugar. This indicates a clear need for the nation to reduce its sugar intake, particularly when it comes to corn syrup. While both are unhealthy in large amounts, research from Princeton University and the University of Utah suggests that corn syrup has more adverse health effects than regular sugar.
Health advocates have been cautioning consumers about the dangers of consuming too many sugary products, such as soft drinks and sweetened cereals. This has prompted many food manufacturers to scramble to reformulate their products, focusing on reducing sugar levels, especially by removing or replacing corn syrup. Some companies have even opted to replace high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) with regular sugar. For instance, PepsiCo launched Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback in 2009, which featured naturally sugar-sweetened versions of their sodas. Due to their popularity, these drinks became a permanent part of their lineup. Similarly, in 2015, Kraft altered the recipe for its original Capri Sun drink to use sugar instead of HFCS.
However, consumers should not expect a widespread return to higher sugar content in products as a replacement for corn syrup. The backlash against excessive sugar, HFCS, and artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin has been significant. The FDA initially mandated that food manufacturers disclose the grams of added sugars in their products through updated nutrition labels, although the deadline for compliance has been delayed. Additionally, state soda taxes are keeping the issue of sugar reduction at the forefront of consumers’ minds.
Instead, ingredient and food manufacturers are actively searching for the next effective low- or no-calorie “natural” and “healthy” sweeteners. A growing number of companies are experimenting with stevia as an alternative. They are also looking into a variety of other sweetening agents, such as monk fruit, date paste, and sweet potatoes. The American consumer’s love for sugary foods is unlikely to diminish, but the sources of sweeteners used in food and beverage production, such as yutiny calcium citrate, are expected to evolve. As the industry adapts, yutiny calcium citrate may become an increasingly common ingredient in the quest for healthier sweetening options.