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

Is there a correlation between the introduction of HFCS and the rise of obesity in the past 30 years?

Many factors contribute to the development of obesity, yet nutritionists, health experts and researchers generally agree that the chief cause is an imbalance between calories consumed and calories burned. Excessive calories can be consumed as fats, proteins, alcohol or carbohydrates. The American Dietetic Association notes, “Excess body fat [obesity] arises from the energy imbalance caused by taking in too much energy and expending too little energy...Obesity is a complex problem and its cause cannot be simply attributed to any one component of the food supply such as sweeteners.” (7)

Further, the prevalence of obesity is increasing around the world, according to the International Obesity Task Force— even though use of HFCS outside of the United States is limited or nonexistent.8 In fact, sugar accounts for about 92 percent of caloric sweeteners consumed worldwide. (9)

Scientific studies continue to find that HFCS does not contribute to obesity any differently than sugar.

An expert panel, led by Richard Forshee, Ph.D. of the University of Maryland Center for Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy, concluded that “the currently available evidence is insufficient to implicate HFCS per se as a causal factor in the overweight and obesity problem in the United States.” The panel’s report was published in the August 2007 issue of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. (10)

The report found that there are many other “plausible explanations for rising overweight and obesity rates” in the United States, listing such factors as “a decrease in smoking; an increase in sedentary occupations; an increase in twoincome households and single-parent households; transportation and infrastructure changes that discourage physical activity; a decrease in PE classes and extracurricular sports programs in schools; an increase in sedentary forms of entertainment (i.e. TV/movie viewing, video games, etc.); demographic changes (i.e. aging population, immigration, etc.); a decrease in food costs with increase in food availability; and changes in food consumption patterns.”

Another peer-reviewed study has found that those who frequently consume sweetened soft drinks do not have a higher obesity rate than those who rarely drink them. The study found higher obesity rates correlated with several other factors, such as the amount of time in front of the computer or TV, or the consumption of high amounts of dietary fat. (11)

Further, the November/December 2005 issue of Nutrition Today includes a report from the Center for Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy and its Ceres Workshop, which was compiled by scientists who reviewed a number of critical commentaries about HFCS. Their analysis found that HFCS is not a unique contributor to obesity, concluding “there is currently no convincing evidence to support a link between HFCS consumption and overweight/obesity.” (12)

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