HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

Provider: Maryam DeHaghin- MS Nutrition and Dietetics

What is HFCS?
A common sweetener greatly used in the US food
industry
HFCS = monosaccharides = free sugars
Fructose + glucose
! HFCS used by Food Manufactures does not come
from fruits at all, It comes from a highly
processed blend derived from corn.

Composition of HFCS
2 main types mostly used:
" HFCS42: 42% Fructose, 58% Glucose
# Used in baked goods
" HFCS55: 55% Fructose, 45% Glucose
# Used in beverages

listed on so many food labels

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Ketchup
soft-drinks
energy drinks
cereals
Cookies
Breads
crackers
ice creams
canned soups, and
more.

The intake of dietary fructose has increased significantly from 1970 to 2000.

Why HFCS?
!

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Cheaper
HFCS is cheaper in the US as a result of a
combination of corn subsidies and sugar tariff and
proportion. Since the mid 1990s, the United States
federal government has subsidized corn growers
by $40 billion.
Sweeter
Easy to transport

Adequate sugar
6 teaspoons of added sugar for women.
$ 9 teaspoons of added sugar for men.
$ Most Americans get more than 22 teaspoons of
added sugar a day, which go above both the USDA
guidelines and American Heart Association
recommendations.
$ One 12-ounce soft drink or fruit-flavored eight-ounce
cups of yogurt has 10 teaspoons of added sugar,
that's already above the guidelines for the entire
day!
$

Metabolism
Glucose stimulates insulin release from the
isolated pancreas
! Metabolized, primarily in the liver.
! fructose enter the pathways that provide
glycerol, the backbone for TG.
! by phosphorylation ,phosphorylated
fructose and trapped% no circulating in
bloodstream.
! Takes place more slowly than absorption
of glucose
! Fructose is metabolized into glucose
which is later stored as glycogen.

Health concern debates

"

High fructose corn syrup is making us fat

According to American Medical Association (2008)
because the composition of HFCS and sucrose are so
similar, it appears unlikely that HFCS contributes more to
obesity or other conditions than sucrose.
!Replacing HFCS with sucrose not reduce obesity
!

# Theres

no significant evidence to support the idea

that high-fructose corn syrup is uniquely responsible
for obesity

Health concern debates cont..

Many argue that HFCS is only as harmful as any other

sugars
Believed that the increase in triglyceride levels, obesity,
hypertension, and type 2 diabetes seen in U.S.
populations is a result of increased consumption of
sugars and not the type of sugar.
Several studies showed no significant differences in the
metabolic effects of HFCS as compared to other sugars.

Health concern debates cont..

Other studies reverse such findings:

Studies from Princeton University found that, in
rats, the higher fructose content of HFCS was
metabolized to produce fat while glucose was
used as energy or as glycogen.
HFCS can lower chromium levels in the blood
which could lead to the development of type
two diabetes
However, evidence in support of these
theories is not certain.

Conclusion
Research has No Ultimate answers on the
effects of HFCS versus other sugars.
However, the fact that over consumption of
added sugar (not limited to HFCS) are
contributing to obesity and other health
problems in the US is undeniable.

"

Whats the Plan?

Read labels and watch your intake

&Be cautious of label, hide HFCS by using names like
corn sweeteners.
Limit sugary cereals, sodas, and other processed foods.

Snacking on Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

--natural sugar/ fiber and antioxidants

!

Drink water instead of sugary drinks

Take Home Message

"

Have HFCS consumption in moderation as

well as any other sugar or sweetness in your
diet in moderation.

Resources
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

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http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/media/pdf/MichaelPollan_Professional.pdf

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http://www.healthpolicy.ucla.edu/pubs

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http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive

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www.schoolnutrition.org

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http://www.obesitymyths.com

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http://www.sweetsurprise.com

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http://www.usda.gov

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The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan

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Food Inc. Movie. By Karl Weber

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Thank You

Short Questions/Answers
1.
2.

3.

4.

Fructose metabolized, mainly in the-----.

Fruits and vegetables should serve as the main
sources of sugar in a healthy diet. True False
HFCS is the main reason for obesity prevalence.
True False
According to USDA guideline ----- teaspoons of
added sugar for women and-----sugar for men is
required.