Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a food syrup which is made from the starch of corn (known as maize in some countries) and contains varying amounts of maltose and higher oligosaccharides, depending on the grade. Corn syrup is used in foods to soften texture, add volume, prevent crystallization of sugar, and enhance flavor.
History[edit | edit source]
The process of making corn syrup involves the extraction of corn starch from the corn kernel. The corn starch is then converted into corn syrup through a process called acid hydrolysis. This process was first used in the 19th century and has been refined over the years to produce different types of corn syrup.
Production[edit | edit source]
The production of corn syrup begins with the steeping of corn kernels in water, which softens the kernels and begins the process of converting the corn starch into sugar. The kernels are then ground to release the starch, which is separated from the other parts of the kernel. The starch is then treated with enzymes to break it down into smaller sugars, resulting in corn syrup.
Types[edit | edit source]
There are several types of corn syrup, including light corn syrup, dark corn syrup, and high-fructose corn syrup. Light corn syrup is clear and has a moderately sweet flavor, while dark corn syrup has a stronger flavor and a dark color due to the addition of molasses. High-fructose corn syrup is made by treating corn syrup with enzymes that convert some of the glucose into fructose, resulting in a sweeter product.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Corn syrup is used in a variety of food products, including baked goods, candies, jams, jellies, and preserves. It is also used in the production of soft drinks and other beverages. In addition to its use in food, corn syrup is also used in industrial applications, such as in the production of adhesives and coatings.
Health concerns[edit | edit source]
There has been some controversy over the health effects of consuming corn syrup, particularly high-fructose corn syrup. Some studies have suggested that consuming high-fructose corn syrup may contribute to obesity and other health problems, but this is a topic of ongoing debate.
See also[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
