History 101 Season 2 Episode 10 High Fructose Corn Syrup

Through its clever use of pop culture references and animation, History 101 aims to teach viewers about significant events and cultural phenomena from around the world. Season 2, episode 10 focuses on High Fructose Corn Syrup, examining the origins of the sugary sweetener and its impact on the American diet.

The episode starts by introducing viewers to corn, an essential crop in the United States that has been a staple of the American diet for centuries. However, it’s only in the last few decades that corn has been transformed into a ubiquitous sweetener that is now found in almost every processed food in the country.

Viewers are taken through the production process of High Fructose Corn Syrup, explaining how corn is first broken down into starch before being treated with enzymes to turn it into pure glucose. Fructose is then added to make it sweeter, and the result is High Fructose Corn Syrup - a cheap and plentiful sweetener that is used in everything from soda to ketchup.

But the episode doesn’t just focus on the science of High Fructose Corn Syrup. It also covers the politico-economic factors that led to its creation and widespread use. In particular, the show highlights the government subsidies that incentivized farmers to grow more corn, as well as the lobbying efforts of the corn industry that pushed for the deregulation of corn-based products.

The episode also looks at the advertising campaigns that helped drive the popularity of High Fructose Corn Syrup in the United States. Viewers are treated to a hilarious montage of soda commercials from the 1980s and 1990s that promoted the syrup as a natural and healthy sweetener. The show takes a critical eye to these ads, highlighting their deceptive language and imagery.

Equally important is the episode’s focus on the health impacts of High Fructose Corn Syrup. The show explains how the body processes high-fructose corn syrup differently than other sweeteners, leading to insulin resistance, weight gain, and other negative health outcomes. The episode also acknowledges the cultural impact of this sugar substitute, critiquing the way it has transformed the American diet.

Throughout the episode, History 101 uses its signature blend of animation and pop culture references to keep things lively and informative. For example, a segment on the lobbying efforts of the corn industry is presented as a parody of The Sopranos, with corn industry executives depicted as mobsters. Meanwhile, a section on how High Fructose Corn Syrup impacts the human body is presented as a cartoon of a garbage truck dumping food into the human mouth.

Overall, History 101 season 2 episode 10 provides a comprehensive overview of both the science and politics of High Fructose Corn Syrup. By tracing the history of this sugar substitute, the episode illuminates the ways in which government subsidies, corporate lobbying, and clever advertising campaigns have helped shape the American food system. At the same time, it highlights the negative health impacts of this ubiquitous sweetener, raising questions about how we can build a healthier food system in the future.