Alicia Lee Report English 2010 Lara Asplund July 8, 2013

Myth of High Fructose Corn Syrup

What is High Fructose Corn Syrup?

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener made from corn and can be found in condiments, carbonated beverages and fruit drinks, fast foods and most processed foods (Ryan). Unlike sugar, many consumers wonder if HFCS is a safe ingredient in foods because its production process requires the addition of enzymes and fiddling with the molecular arrangement of regular corn syrup (Silverman). Also, because of the name high fructose corn syrup, people often wonder if HFCS contains a lot of fructose. HFCS is composed of either 42% or 55% fructose, and white sugar is split 50-50 between glucose and fructose (Silverman).

Why use HFCS?

Evolution of world sugar prices in real terms to 2020
Raw sugar USD/t 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 1990 White sugar

In 2012, the price of real sugar was $410.38/t. The price is expected to continue to increase by 2015. Source: OECD and FAO Secretariats http://www.oecd.org/site/oecdfaoagriculturaloutlook/48184295.pdf

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

During the 2000s, the raw sugar price has ranged between a low average of 19.09 cents a pound in 2000 and a high average of 22.14 cents a pound in 2006. The wholesale beet price has, likewise, ranged from an average of 20.80 cents a pound in 2000 to an average of 33.10 cents a pound in 2006 (USDA). The other hand, the HFCS-55 price was only 15.72 cents per pound in 2000 and 21.77 cents in 2006 (USDA). In 1977 in the United States, the cost of imported sugar was significantly increased, and U.S. producers sought cheaper sources (Wikipedia). Due to its inexpensiveness of making HFCS for many sweetener applications allowed Coca Cola to move from the 8-ounce bottle of soda in the 70s to the 20-ounce bottle of today (Pollan).

Experts who say HFCS IS to blame

Many experts believe our nation faces the prospect of an epidemic of metabolic disease in the future, related in significant degree to excess consumption of high-fructose corn syrup (Falvin). Dr. Francesco Leri, Associate Professor Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science at the University of Guelph, studied the response of rats to foods containing unnaturally high concentrations of sugar, fats and taste enhancers, such as HFCS and foods like o reo cookies and concluded that HFCS can cause behavioral reactions in rats similar to those produced by drugs of abuse such as cocaine. However, why some people are obese and others are not, given the same amount of available food cant be explained. Dr. Leri suggests one important factor could be individual differences in vulnerability to addiction (Poupart).

Experts who say HFCS ISNT to blame

The Corn Refiner Association insists that HFCS meets the FDA requirements for the use of the term natural and wants HFCS to build a good reputation. Last year, FDA rejected the Corn Refiner Associations bid to rename its sweeting agent corn sugar due to the different characteristics of sugar and syrup (Candice Choi). HFCS has the same composition as other fructose-glucose sweeteners such as sucrose honey and fruit juice concentrates and dietary sources such as fruits and juices, says a nutritionist Lara Field. Barry Popkin, Ph.D., a nutrition professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who previously suggested, in an influential 2004 paper, stated that the

natural sweeteners sometimes added to upscale processed foods like organic crackers and salad dressings (Hendley).

Consumption of HFCS and Obesity

High fructose corn syrup: estimated number of per capita calories consumed daily, by calendar year Year 1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2012 Calories consumed daily * 177 175 163 146 130 129 *Number of daily teaspoons multiplied by calories per serving (16.0) Source: USDA, ERS, Sugar and Sweeteners Outlook. Last updated: 5/28/2013 Recommended intake daily amount: 100 Cal (women) and Between 1970 and 1990, the annual intake of HFCS increased by more than 1,000%, greatly exceeding the change in intake of any other food or food group. For most of human history we consumed no more than about 15 grams of fructose per day, most from fruits and vegetables. In contrast, daily consumption in 1997 was estimated to have increased to 81 grams per day (Flavin). Per capita consumption of HFCS has declined in recent years, whereas obesity rates continue to rise. Therefore, HFCS doesnt uniquely promote obesity.

Suggestion from an expert

MD. Dana Flavin warns in Life Extension Magazine (December 2008) that consuming excessive fructose can cause a rise in serum triglycerides, promoting an atherogenic lipid profile and elevating cardiovascular risk. Increased fat storage in the liver may lead to an increased

incidence in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and this is one of several links between HFCS consumption and obesity as well as the metabolic syndrome. To prevent or minimize dangers of excess dietary fructose, Avoid all sweetened soft drinks Read product labels carefully. Find ways to cut your overall intake of table sugar. Try using the natural non-caloric sweetener stevia extract. Consider taking supplements (Flavin)

Conclusion
HFCS has the similar sugars composition as other fructose-glucose sweeteners such as sucrose, honey, and fruit juice concentrates and dietary sources such as fruits and juices. There is no clear proof of an association between HFCS and obesity

Many researches and debates have been performed on effects of HFCS vs. sugar. Whether HFCS is more harmful than sugar or not, no one can deny that consuming excessive amount of both sugar and HFCS isnt harmful.

Work Cited

Ryan, David B. "List of Foods Containing Fructose Corn Syrup." LiveStrong.com. Demand Media, Inc, 12 May 2011. Web. 8 Jul 2013. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/35128-listfoods-containing-fructose-corn/>. Silverman, Jacob. "How Sugar Works The Difference Between Sugar and High-fructose Corn Syrup" HowStuffWorks.com. 30 March 2009. Web. 8 July 2013.<http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/sugar.htm>. Fess-it, MisterSpike, and et al, eds. "High fructose corn syrup." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 19 Jun 2013. Web. 8 Jul 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_fructose_corn_syrup>. Pollan, Michael. "The Way We Live Now: The (Agri) Cultural Contradiction of Obesity." The New York Times Megazine. The New York Times Company, 12 Oct 2003. Web. 8 Jul 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/12/magazine/12WWLN.html>. USDA. "Sugar & Sweeteners." Sugar & Sweetener Background. USDA Economic Research Services, 09 Oct 2012. Web. 8 Jul 2013. <http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/sugarsweeteners/background.aspx>. Milling & Baking News. "Table 9U.S. prices for high fructose corn sytrup (HFCS), Midwest markets, monthly quarterly, and by calendar and fiscal year." USDA ERS - Sugar and Sweeteners Yearbook Tables. USDA Economic Research Service, 3 Jul 2013. Web. 8 Jul 2013. <http://www.ers.usda.gov/datafiles/Sugar_and_Sweeteners_Yearbook_Tables/World_and_US_S ugar_and_Corn_Sweetener_Prices/TABLE09.XLS>. CRA . "Key Points About High Fructose Corn Syrup."High Fructose Corn Syrup Factsz. The Corn Refiners Association. Web. 8 Jul 2013 <http://www.corn.org/products/sweeteners/highfructose-corn-syrup/>. Field, Lara. "The Skinny on High-Fructose Corn Syrup."http://feedkids.com/. FEED(Forming Early Eating Diet), 13 Jul 2011. Web. 8 July 2013. <http://feedkids.com/2011/07/the-skinny-onhigh-fructose-corn-syrup/>. Hendley, Joyce. "Is high-fructose corn syrup bad for you?."Eatingwell.com. Meredith Corporation, n.d. Web. 8 Jul 2013. <http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/is_high_fructose_corn _syrup_bad_for_you>.

Poupart , Julie. "Addiction to unhealthy foods could help explain the global obesity epidemic.." Eurek Alert!. AAAS, the science society, 22 May 2013. Web. 8 Jul 2013. <http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-05/cafn-atu051613.php>. Choi, Candace. "FDA rejects new name for high-fructose corn syrup." USA Today|Money. USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc., 30 May 2012. Web. 8 Jul, 2013. <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2012-05-30/high-fructose-cornsyrup-not-sugar/55291460/1>. Flavin, Dana. "Report. Metabolic Danger of High-Fructose Corn Syrup." Life Extension Magazine. Life Extension, n.d. Web. 8 Jul 2013. <http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2008/dec2008_metabolic-dangers-of-high-fructose-cornsyrup_01.htm>.