tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45820464446306597742012-02-16T07:13:02.880-08:00jbrown@villanovaprepadmin.orgnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582046444630659774.post-51976302367495851042010-03-25T07:17:00.000-07:002010-03-25T08:54:34.355-07:00A March 18 posting by the journal <em>Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, </em> states that the researchers from the Department of Psychology and the Princeton Neuroscience Institute reported on two experiments investigating the link between the consumption of high-fructose corn syrup and obesity. <br /><br />Rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same. <br /><br />In addition to causing a significant weight gain in lab animals, the rats also had increases in abdominal body fat, and a rise in circulating blood fats called triglycerides. <br /><br />Professor Bart Hoebel, who specializes neuroscience of appetite, weight and sugar addiction, said "When rats are drinking high-fructose corn syrup at levels well below those in soda pop, they're becoming obese -- every single one, across the board. Even when rats are fed a high-fat diet, you don't see this; they don't ALL gain extra weight."<br /><br />In the first study male rats that were given syrup in addition to a standard diet of rat chow gained much more weight than male rats that received regular sugar water.<br /> sweetened with table sugar, or sucrose, in conjunction with the standard diet. <strong>The high-fructose corn syrup solution was half as concentrated as most sodas.</strong><br /><br />The second study monitored weight gain, body fat and triglyceride levels in rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup over six months. Compared to animals eating only rat chow, the high-fructose corn syrup rats showed characteristic signs of a dangerous condition known in humans as the metabolic syndrome, including abnormal weight gain, significant increases in circulating triglycerides and augmented belly fat. <strong>Male rats in particular ballooned in size: Animals with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained 48 percent more weight than those eating a normal diet.</strong><br /><br />"These rats aren't just getting fat; they're demonstrating characteristics of obesity, including substantial increases in abdominal fat and circulating triglycerides," said Princeton graduate student Miriam Bocarsly. "In humans, these same characteristics are known risk factors for high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cancer and diabetes." <br /><br />In the 40 years since high-fructose corn syrup has been used as a cost-effective sweetener, rates of obesity in the U.S. have skyrocketed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1970, 15 percent of the U.S. population met the definition for obesity; today, roughly 30 percent are obese.<br /> <strong><strong>High-fructose corn syrup is found in fruit juice, soda, cereal, bread, yogurt, ketchup and mayonnaise. Americans consume 60 pounds of this sweetener per person every year on average. </strong>"</strong><br /><br />The research was supported by the U.S. Public Health Service.<br /><br /><a href="\http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/91/22K07/index.xml?section=topstories">\http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/91/22K07/index.xml?section=topstories</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4582046444630659774-5197630236749585104?l=ibuythat.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>jbrown@villanovaprepadmin.orgnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4582046444630659774.post-39223582335125208712010-03-14T15:03:00.000-07:002010-03-17T15:59:31.832-07:00It took two years for me to get concerned enough about the demise of Starbucks to post this message. But what are they doing now with the nasty-tasting Pike Place roast that finally got me writing?<br />They're selling it all day for $1.50 with giant posters slapped up just like the fast food stores they share corners with. <br /><br /><strong>Pike is the worst-tasting blend Starbuck's has.</strong><br />Selling it cheaper won't save you, Starbucks. Many of your daily customers don't like Pike Place. We've been grumbling about your policy of All Pike's All The Time for months.<br /><br />When I go into the store I ask, "What else have you got besides Pike?"<br />Usually, nothing -- so I get an Americano, but what I really want is the variety I used to enjoy.<br />Walking over I used to wonder, "Gee what blends will they feature today?"<br />You could count on a mild and bold in the morning, then the'yd shift to just bold later on. I used to love anticipating the surprise of what the daily blends would be.<br /><br />Put the adventure back into my daily Starbucks experience, please.<br />If you feel the same way, please let them know they are losing market share to fast food coffee in a big way!<br /><br />If you love Starbucks, too please reply.<br />jeanne@jeannembrown.com<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4582046444630659774-3922358233512520871?l=ibuythat.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>jbrown@villanovaprepadmin.orgnoreply@blogger.com0