The facts about 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

Nutrition Today Articles Bring Much-Needed Perspective to High Fructose Corn Syrup in the Obesity Debate

Obesity has become an important health concern for many Americans. While the likely causes of obesity are numerous and the overall topic is complicated, there is a tendency to oversimplify the problem and try to blame certain foods.

HFCS has been singled out by some in the national obesity debate in a manner that is not consistent with much of the available scientific evidence.

The March/April 2006 issue of Nutrition Today includes an article that discusses the health effects of high fructose corn syrup.

In "High Fructose Corn Syrups, Part 2: Health Effects," author Dr. Marilyn D. Schorin concludes, "Given what we know about the metabolism of orally ingested sugars, it is difficult to identify a plausible physiological explanation for how approximately equal amounts of fructose and glucose should have differential effects when chemically bonded (such as in sucrose) or not (such as in HFCS). Thus, the current evidence does not support claims of a specific unique effect of HFCS on health." (23)

The November/December 2005 issue of Nutrition Today includes three articles that discuss the composition, metabolism and use of high fructose corn syrup.

The authors of "Highs and Lows of High Fructose Corn Syrup: A Report from the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy and Its Ceres Workshop," conclude, "Currently, there is no convincing evidence to support a link between HFCS consumption and overweight/obesity. Moreover, overweight/obesity is a worldwide health problem even in countries and regions that do not use HFCS. The escalating rate of overweight/obesity coincides with many more credible explanations than increased HFCS consumption." (17)

In the abstract of her article "High Fructose Corn Syrups, Part 1: Composition, Consumption, and Metabolism," author Dr. Marilyn D. Schorin states, "High fructose corn syrup, as used in foods, is similar in composition and sweetness to sucrose. Absorption and metabolism of HFCS is also similar to that of sucrose." (18)

In his editorial review "How Sweet It Is," Dr. Frank Q. Nuttall, chief of the Metabolism/Endocrine and Nutrition Section at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, compliments the authors for the "straightforward scientific nature" of their reports. (19)

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