What is High-Fructose Corn Syrup, and why is it used?
A corn-derived syrup of fructose and glucose, similar in composition to table sugar.
Versus sugar
HFCS-55 is ~55% fructose; sucrose is 50%. Metabolically the two behave very similarly; both count as added sugars.
Evidence & sources
FDA is not aware of evidence that HFCS is less safe than other common nutritive sweeteners like sucrose and honey. Evidence: regulatory. Known: Regulatory review. Unknown: — Source: US FDA, High Fructose Corn Syrup Questions and Answers (Current revision).