The facts about high fructose corn syrup.

questions and answers on high fructose corn syrup

NEWS

"The Sugar Fix" Statement

"King Corn" Statement

High Fructose Corn Syrup Natural Labeling Statement

NEW RESEARCH

Researchers Find Beverages Sweetened with HFCS and Sugar Have Similar Impact on Feelings of Fullness

Study Finds HFCS and Sugar Affect Feelings of Fullness and Uric Acid Similarly

Experts Conclude Evidence Lacking to Implicate High Fructose Corn Syrup as a Unique Cause of Obesity

Study Finds HFCS and Sucrose Affect Blood Glucose, Insulin, Leptin and Ghrelin Similarly

MORE RESEARCH

NEW ARTICLES

Much ado about high-fructose corn syrup in beverages: the meat of the matter

Weak Association Between Sweeteners or Sweetened Beverages and Diabetes

"The Sugar Fix" Statement"King Corn" StatementHigh Fructose Corn Syrup Natural Labeling StatementResearchers Find Beverages Sweetened with HFCS and Sugar Have Similar Impact on Feelings of FullnessStudy Finds HFCS and Sugar Affect Feelings of Fullness and Uric Acid SimilarlyExperts Conclude Evidence Lacking to Implicate High Fructose Corn Syrup as a Unique Cause of ObesityStudy Finds HFCS and Sucrose Affect Blood Glucose, Insulin, Leptin and Ghrelin SimilarlyMORE RESEARCHResearchers Find Beverages Sweetened with HFCS and Sucrose Affect Satiety SimilarlyStudy Finds Frequent Soft Drink Consumption Does Not Lead to Higher Obesity RatesResearchers Find HFCS and Sucrose Affect Uric Acid SimilarlyResearchers Find HFCS and Sucrose Affect Triglycerides SimilarlyHigh Fructose Corn Syrups, Part 1: Composition, Consumption, and MetabolismHigh Fructose Corn Syrups, Part 2: Health EffectsHighs and Lows of High Fructose Corn Syrup: A Report From the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy and Its Ceres ® WorkshopMuch ado about high-fructose corn syrup in beverages: the meat of the matterWeak Association Between Sweeteners or Sweetened Beverages and DiabetesArticlesFood Processing Article Provides Perspective on Science and HFCSCommentary in The Washington Times Puts Nutritional Advice Into PerspectiveFood Technology Article Provides Perspective on HFCS MythsNew York Times Article Reviews The Science - HFCS Myths DebunkedNutrition Today Articles Bring Much-Needed Perspective to HFCS in the Obesity DebateHFCS BasicsWhat is high fructose corn syrup?Per Capita Consumption of HFCSHFCS Is NaturalWhat the Experts Say About HFCSTop Published Myths About HFCSUses/BenefitsConsumer benefits of HFCSUses of HFCSHFCS Q & AWhat is the difference between HFCS and table sugar?Is HFCS a "natural" sweetener?Is HFCS sweeter than sugar?Is there a correlation between the introduction of HFCS and the rise of obesity in the past 30 years?Has the use of HFCS in the food supply increased the amount of fructose in the diet?Does consumption of HFCS, as compared to sucrose, reduce the ability of the body to produce insulin?Does the body process HFCS differently than other sugars?Is HFCS considered a safe food ingredient?Does HFCS have a high Glycemic Index?Is HFCS allergenic?How does HFCS serve as a flavor enhancer?How is HFCS made?Nutrition Today Articles Bring Much-Needed Perspective to HFCS in the Obesity DebateResearchers Find HFCS and Sucrose Affect Uric Acid SimilarlyResearchers Find HFCS and Sucrose Affect Triglycerides SimilarlyScientific Experts Conclude HFCS Is NOT A Unique Contributor to ObesityWhat is the Role of Physical Activity in a Balanced Diet?HomeFootnotesTerms of UsePrivacy Policy

Has the use of high fructose corn syrup in the food supply increased the amount of fructose in the diet?

No. Many press reports note the dramatic increase in high fructose corn syrup in the food supply since it's introduction in the 1970s. However, it is important to note that as high fructose corn syrup consumption increased, sugar consumption decreased. USDA data show that the per capita use of high fructose corn syrup in the U.S. food supply was matched with an almost equal decline, on a one-to-one basis, in the per capita use of sugar. In fact, consumption of high fructose corn syrup has declined since its peak in 1999. The USDA estimates per capita sugar consumption in 2007 was 44.2 lbs per year (14) and 40.1 lbs per year for high fructose corn syrup. (15)

As high fructose corn syrup use increased in the United States, it replaced sugar in various foods and beverages on a nearly one-for-one basis, as the chart below illustrates. Yet because sugar and high fructose corn syrup share a common composition, the ratio of fructose-to-glucose in the diet has remained relatively unchanged over time. This confirms that the approximate overall sugars mixture in the foods and beverages we consume-principally glucose and fructose-is nearly the same today as it was 30 years ago, before high fructose corn syrup was introduced.

For this diagram see Footnotes 14, 15 and 20. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Sugar and Sweetener Yearbook series, Tables 50-53.

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