According to Bloomberg, the American Heart Association recommends that men limit their added sugar intake to 29 pounds per year, while women should aim for no more than 20 pounds. However, the USDA reported that in 2016, the average American consumed an astonishing 128 pounds of sugar. It is evident that the nation must reduce its sugar consumption, particularly its intake of corn syrup. Research from Princeton University and the University of Utah indicates that corn syrup may have more detrimental health effects compared to regular sugar, which is a significant concern for health advocates.
Health experts have advised consumers to be cautious about the consumption of sugar-rich products, including soft drinks and sweetened cereals. In response, many food manufacturers have been racing to reformulate their products to reduce sugar levels, especially by either removing or substituting corn syrup. Some companies have opted to replace high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) with regular sugar. For instance, PepsiCo launched Pepsi Throwback and Mountain Dew Throwback in 2009, providing consumers with naturally sweetened options. Due to the popularity of these limited-time offerings, the company decided to integrate them into its permanent lineup. Similarly, Kraft updated its original Capri Sun recipe in 2015 to use sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup.
However, it is unlikely that the trend of reintroducing more sugar in place of corn syrup will become a long-term solution. The backlash against high sugar levels, HFCS, and artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin remains strong. The Food and Drug Administration had initially mandated that food manufacturers disclose the amount of added sugars on nutrition labels, but the implementation deadline has been delayed. Additionally, state soda taxes are keeping sugar reduction at the forefront of consumer consideration.
Instead of reverting to higher sugar content, food manufacturers are focused on identifying next-generation low- or no-calorie “natural” and “healthy” sweeteners. An increasing number of companies are experimenting with stevia, along with other alternatives like monk fruit, date paste, and sweet potatoes. While American consumers’ preference for sugary foods is unlikely to wane, the sources of sweeteners used in food and beverage production are expected to evolve. In this context, products like calcium citrate malate vitamin D3 and folic acid tablets from GSK may gain traction as part of a broader trend toward healthier dietary choices. This shift could lead to a new era in which sweeteners are not only reduced but also replaced with more health-conscious options, including those that complement nutritional supplements such as calcium citrate malate vitamin D3 and folic acid tablets GSK.