Michael Pollan from the more than sold-out appearance at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago's South Loop last night.
There is a lot to tell from last night's appearance by Michael Pollan here in Chicago. And I will go in-depth later, but there is one notable tidbit.
Pollan has written a lot about the influence of corn in our diet, the overabundance in our food system. So, for many of us who believe high-fructose corn syrup is a problem, we feel like Pollan is on our side.
During Monday's talk, Pollan said to avoid products that contain high-fructose corn syrup because it's a sign in processed foods that there's sweetness than otherwise might not be there, bread for example.
However, he did say it hasn't been proven that high-fructose corn syrup is any worse than sugar. He seemed a little defense on the subject.
And Pollan told Amy Goodman in a recent interview that "Biologically, there’s no difference between high-fructose corn syrup and sugar."
What?
When he signed my book, I told him I respectfully disagreed with him on the impact of high-fructose corn syrup. I even told him the next time he was in Canada that he should try a Canadian Twinkie if he wanted to see the contrast between sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. My feeling is that the American Twinkie has more preservatives, but it's still the best example I can find to show a contrast between sugar and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for less sophisticated palates than mine.
But I found one other expert that might help set Pollan straight on the topic. From last week's "Colbert Report," one of Colbert's guests pointed out that while our bodies know what to do with corn, "our bodies don't know what to do with high-fructose corn syrup."
This guest also went on in the same thought to compare corn and HFCS to the difference between coca leaves and crack.
That guest, of course, was Michael Pollan.
Sugar, in high amounts, may not be good for you. But our bodies know what to do with sugar. This has to be a sign that there is proof that high-fructose corn syrup is worse than sugar.
I'm not accusing Pollan of being a liar. But inquiring minds can point out there seems to be contradictory statements 5 days apart.
Given the powers, industry and political, admitting that HFCS is worse than sugar is difficult. But after what Pollan said on national TV, he should be able to say the same thing to an audience of several hundred in Chicago. If Pollan or anyone from his camp would like to clarify Monday's remarks, we would publish any response in full.
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