Scientific Experts Conclude High Fructose Corn Syrup Is NOT A Unique Contributor to Obesity

Recent mischaracterizations of high fructose corn syrup as a unique cause of obesity do not represent the consensus opinion of scientific experts. 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 high fructose corn syrup is not a unique contributor to obesity.

The authors of "Highs and Lows of High Fructose Corn Syrup," conclude, "Currently, there is no convincing evidence to support a link between HFCS consumption and overweight/obesity... The escalating rate of overweight/obesity coincides with many more credible explanations than increased HFCS consumption." (17)

The Associated Press also reported on July 17, 2004, "there is no reason to think high fructose corn syrup is worse than regular table sugar or any other sweetener as a contributor to obesity." (20)

Many parts of the world, including Mexico and Europe, have rising rates of obesity and diabetes despite having little or no high fructose corn syrup in their foods and beverages, which supports findings by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the American Diabetes Association that the primary causes of diabetes are obesity, advancing age and heredity.


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