HFCS & DIABETES

It appears unlike that HFCS contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose

Fact: Diabetes is an Epidemic, but HFCS is Not the Cause.

Diabetes is a major public health concern, however, there is overwhelming scientific evidence and agreement in the scientific community that HFCS is not a unique cause of either diabetes or obesity.

This fact has been supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the American Diabetes Association who state that the primary causes of diabetes are obesity, advancing age and heredity.1,2

As Diabetes Goes Up, Consumption of HFCS Goes Down

In fact, while per capita HFCS consumption has been declining in recent years, the incidence of obesity and diabetes in the U.S. remains on the rise.3 In addition, many parts of the world, including Australia, Chile and the Middle East, have rising rates of diabetes and obesity despite having little or no HFCS in their foods and beverages.4,5

About Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or use insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels. Insulin allows the carbohydrates in foods to be used by the body for energy. Carbohydrates come in both simple (sugar, high fructose corn syrup, honey, fructose in fruit, lactose in milk) and complex (starch as in flour, bread, cereal, rice, pasta) sources. All complex carbohydrates are broken down or converted into glucose, the primary sugar the body uses for energy.

It’s important for diabetics to watch their diets and closely monitor their intake of sugar, in all its forms.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Basics about Diabetes, http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/learn.htm

2. American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Myths, http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-myths/

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Diabetes Fact Sheet, 2011.

4. World Health Organization, Global Database on Body Mass Index, Country comparison – BMI adults % obese (>=30.0), Most recent, See also World Health Organization, March 2011, Obesity and overweight: Fact sheet No. 311.

5. LMC International, Inc., 2012, Table 2: World Sugar & HFCS Consumption, Sweetener Analysis, January 2012.

Recommended Resources

Newsletter Signup

Stay up on the latest sweetener developments with our free monthly newsletter. To sign up, fill out the information below. All fields required.

Sign up

Thank You

Thank you for your interest in learning more about high fructose corn syrup. You will receive email updates on news and information about this safe, versatile sweetener made from corn.

MINTEL STUDY:
FEWER THAN 3% OF SHOPPERS SPECIFICALLY AVOID HFCS IN 12 HIGH-VOLUME F&B CATEGORIES

Download Infographic

Mintel Study:
Examines Consumer Concern Across 12 Top F&B Categories

Download PDF

MINTEL STUDY:
CONSUMERS ARE CHOOSING F&B BRANDS BASED ON TOTAL SUGARS

Download Infographic

MINTEL STUDY:
ACROSS BRANDS, CONSUMERS AVOID TOTAL SUGARS MORE THAN SPECIFIC TYPES

Download Fact Sheets

MINTEL STUDY:
More Grocery Shoppers Concerned About Added Sugar Than HFCS

Download Fact Sheet

Schedule your free GenerationWhy presentation today.

GenerationWhy is an unprecedented consumer research study that analyzes millennials and their attitudes around food and beverage ingredients. GenerationWhy is a custom study commissioned by the Corn Refiners Association. Respondents for the quantitative survey phase of the study were provided by Ipsos. Millennial participants in the qualitative phase were sourced through BuzzFeed.

WHAT’S THE RIGHT MIX FOR REACHING MILLENNIALS?

Get answers with a free GenerationWhy presentation. Schedule yours by filling out the form below.

All fields required.

Schedule Now

Thank You

Thank you for your interest. We will be in touch with you shortly.

Close form

Welcome

When it comes to sweeteners, making the right choice is critical to your brand and your bottom line.

At Corn Naturally, we'll help you make informed decisions with the latest facts on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) from leading independent experts, including Mintel, Nielsen, NPD and top members and organizations of the scientific community. Come here for the tools and resources you need to make sound sweetener decisions.

How can Corn Naturally help me?

You may have specific questions and concerns related to your industry. Here's how Corn Naturally can help you find answers.

  • Food & Beverage Manufacturers

    Are you considering a change in sweeteners used in your products? Before you act, get the facts. Find out what consumers really think about HFCS, understand the true cost of reformulation and learn the latest on sweetener science at Corn Naturally.

    For answers on the concerns facing your industry, go to the Food and Beverage Manufacturers page.

  • Grocery Retailers

    Wondering how the sweetener debate fits into your retail strategy? At Corn Naturally, you can see what independent, expert research and real-world data reveal about true consumer attitudes toward HFCS and actual purchasing behavior.

    For answers on the concerns facing your industry, go to the Grocery Retailers page.

  • Chain Restaurants

    Will adding HFCS-free products to the menu increase sales? Find out what consumers really think of HFCS and how reformulating can impact your operating costs at Corn Naturally.

    For answers on the concerns facing your industry, go to the Chain Restaurants page.