Yesterday evening on NPR’s ALL Things Considered, I listened to a report summarizing a recent series of scientific studies that concluded High Fructose Corn Syrup, and table sugar are indistinguishable in effect when it comes to their association with the development of obesity: “…earlier this month, several scientific papers concluded that high-fructose corn syrup isn’t any worse than table sugar when it comes to gaining weight. So our love affair with either kind of sugar is problematic.”
Having been following this story for about a year, I was surprised at the new information that seemed to vindicate this ingredient from being the “smoking gun” link to obesity. It was clear that high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), even if these recent studies remain valid over time, is still a refined sugar, and like all refined sugars, better to be consumed in lower amounts. Does that make HFCS innocent of all charges? I don’t think we know enough to say one way or the other. Also, these studies raises another question, since HFCS is absorbed differently in the body than other refined sugars, does it warrant further study for other possible health implications? To that, I believe the answer is decidedly yes.
Since HFCS is not a naturally occurring product found in nature, and is made through an industrial process, I thought this trailer from King Corn would be an interesting treat to watch. Despite the obvious humor, it leads to a sobering question: do we wish to be bombarded with this particular ingredient in so many of the foods we eat?
Finally, here’s an article about an interesting study ( Fructose Sets Table For Weight Gain Without Warning ) that came out earlier this year about the possible role of the hormone leptin with weight gain and obesity. The gist of the study (I did not read the actual report) hypothesizes that regular consumption of high levels of fructose sugars can lead to a silent (otherwise unnoticed) development of leptin resistance. Leptin resistance has been associated with obesity in the past, but it has been thought to usually occur in response to obesity, not preceding it. In this study, the rats that developed leptin resistance from their fructose diet, became obese (gained weight quickly) after being switched to a high-fat diet. Their brains did not receive the (leptin) chemical signal to eat less. The non-fructose group did not become leptin resistant, and their switch to a high-fat diet triggered the normal response to eat less food, presumably giving their bodies a better chance to burn off (metabolize) the high caloric foods.
Clearly, from a scientific perspective, there is still much to learn about the role of diet-related chronic diseases, including obesity.
What do you think about the role of HFCS and obesity? Do you think that all table sugars should be equally reduced in food products? What about honey?
5 Comments
The fact that high-fructose corn syrup and white sugar are indistinguishable is damnation enough, I should think, for HFCS. Our relationship with refined foods, especially sugars, is “problematic” indeed — but that, I suspect, is a gross understatement.
The problem with obesity in the US and parts of Europe have nothing to do with HFCS. It has to do with the fact that people eat WAY too much and are WAY to sedentary. If people made better dining choices, stayed away from fast food, made more meals at home and got off the couch for regular exercise, then we would be a skinnier society. 2007 marked the first year that more than 50% of meals consumed in the US were consumed outside the home (i.e at a restaurant where the portions are insanely large.)
HFCS has the exact same nutritional value as table sugar and (like everything else) is harmless when consumed in reasonable quantites. If you are intent on removing HFCS from your diet for health reasons, then you have to cut out the table sugar and honey as well. The truth is, if everything that is currently made with HFCS was made with cane sugar then 1: it would be lot more expensive and 2: it would drive the price of other items up as well. How would you feel if that 5lb bag of sugar suddenly cost $10 instead of $2? While intesive farming practices have robbed much of our meat of its flavor, this industrial practice has for the most part, served us well.
-Geoff
http://www.imafoodblog.com
There was an article this week on Vegfamily.com about the differences and similiarites between High Fructose Corn Syrup, regular sugar and Agave Nectar. Check it out here: http://www.vegfamily.com/whole-family/wholesome-sweeteners.htm
-Liz on behalf of the Corn Refiners Association
Just like with tobacco and smoking, there will be study after study about the pros and cons of HFCS. What I got out of King Corn was that HFCS is in everything we get that is packaged. Look in any pantry and you’ll find corn in everything that has been bottled or pre-packaged for you. We went on a strict diet a year or so ago for health reasons and had to cut out corn. That emptied our cupboard. We were so surprised, but it didn’t hit us until we saw King Corn and then re-evaluated our pantry. Every day, I try and buy unpackaged items or fresh items in order to get away from HFCS.
Thanks.
I’d be curious to know who paid for the studies since the government provides the subsidies that makes the corn a more cost effective substitute for sugar in the food supply.
It would be one thing if were an informed choice people could make but since high fructose corn syrup is nearly unavoidable because it is in nearly everything – unless you make literally everything from scratch you have no option because of the subsidies.
There are some niche products but they are more expensive and not within the reach of every consumer.
Since it’s an unavoidable part of our food supply I think it needs to be studied further.