Weeding Out the Myths in “King Corn”
Several myths about high fructose corn syrup crop up in the movie “King Corn.” Here’s a look at the facts, based on the latest research available:
MYTH: A graphic in the movie states that per capita consumption of sugar and high fructose corn syrup totaled 150 pounds in 2000, and HFCS accounts for more than 80 percent of this.
FACT: The USDA estimates 2006 per capita HFCS consumption, adjusted for loss during transport, processing and uneaten food — which presents a more accurate figure of what we eat — was 41.5 lbs per year. The similar figure for 2000 was 44.6 lbs per year — some 70 lbs per year less than indicated on the graph in the film. U.S. per capita consumption of sugar continues to exceed that of HFCS. The USDA estimates per capita sugar consumption in 2006 was 44.5 lbs per year and 46.7 lbs per year in 2000.(1)
MYTH: Commentator in movie says that high fructose corn syrup has “only adverse metabolic affects and empty calories.”
FACT: New research continues to confirm that high fructose corn syrup is safe and no different from other common sweeteners like sugar and honey.(2)
MYTH: Commentator in movie says, “There does seem to be something about drinking calories in the form of sodas just doesn’t generate the stop signals.”
FACT: No credible research has demonstrated that HFCS affects calorie control differently than sugar. A recent study by Pablo Monsivais, et al. at the University of Washington found that beverages sweetened with sugar, HFCS, as well as 1% milk, all have similar effects on feelings of fullness.(3)
Further, research by Almiron-Roig and co-workers in 2003 showed that a regular soft drink, orange juice and low-fat milk were not significantly different in their effects on hunger or satiety ratings, or in calories consumed at a subsequent meal.(4)
MYTH: Commentator in movie says, “High consumption of sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup has quite adverse metabolic affects and what we see in our long term studies is high risk for type 2 diabetes as well.”
FACT: Many parts of the world, including Australia, Mexico and Europe, have rising rates of obesity and diabetes despite having little or no HFCS in their foods and beverages, which supports findings by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the American Diabetes Association that the primary causes of diabetes are obesity, advancing age and heredity.(5)
USDA data show that per capita consumption of HFCS has been declining in recent years, yet the incidence of obesity and diabetes in the United States remains on the rise.(6)
MYTH: Commentator in movie says, “In a recent analysis, we found that drinking 1 soda per day on average almost doubled the risk of diabetes compared to only occasionally having a soda beverage or not at all.”
FACT: Diabetes is a complicated problem — one that cannot be blamed on a sole ingredient or component of the American diet.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has long recognized that HFCS is safe. In 1983, the FDA listed HFCS as “Generally Recognized as Safe” for use in food, and reaffirmed that ruling in 1996 after thorough review.(7)
A recent study by Sun & Empie found that those who frequently consume sweetened soft drinks do not have a higher obesity rate than those who rarely drink them. The strongest association was between amount of fat consumed and obesity.(8)
1. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Table 52 — High fructose corn syrup: estimated number of per capita calories consumed daily, by calendar year and Table 51 — Refined cane and beet sugar: estimated number of per capita calories consumed daily, by calendar year, Sugar and Sweeteners Yearbook 2006
2. Melanson KJ, Zukley LM, Lowndes J, Nguyen V, Angelopoulos TJ, Rippe JM. 2007. Effects of high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose consumption on circulating glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin and on appetite in normal-weight women. Nutrition. 23(2):103-12; Monsivais P, Perrigue MM, Drewnowski A. 2007. Sugars and satiety: does the type of sweetener make a difference? Am J Clin Nutr. Jul;86(1):116-23; Zukley M, et al. June 2007. The Effect of High Fructose Corn Syrup on Post-Prandial Lipemia in Normal Weight Females. Presented at the June 2007 meeting of The Endocrine Society. Program Abstract #P2-46; and Lowndes J, et al. June 2007. The Effect of High-Fructose Corn Syrup on Uric Acid Levels in Normal Weight Women. Presented at the June 2007 meeting of The Endocrine Society. Program Abstract #P2-45.
3. Monsivais P, Perrigue MM, Drewnowski A. 2007. Sugars and satiety: does the type of sweetener make a difference? Am J Clin Nutr. Jul;86(1):116-23.
4. Almiron-Roig E, Drewnowski A. 2003. Hunger, thirst, and energy intakes following consumption of caloric beverages. Physiol Behav 79:767-74.
5. International Obesity TaskForce. June 2007. Prevalence of Adult Obesity; LMC International, Inc. 2007. Table 2: World Sugar & HFCS Consumption. Sweetener Analysis January 2007. See also World Health Organization. September 2006. Obesity and overweight: Fact sheet #311.
6. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. 2007. Table 52 — High fructose corn syrup: estimated number of per capita calories consumed daily, by calendar year. Sugar and Sweeteners Yearbook 2006; and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2007. National diabetes fact sheet, 2005.
7. 61 Fed. Reg. 43447 (August 23, 1996), 21 C.F.R. 184.1866. Direct food substances affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe; High Fructose Corn Syrup – Final Rule.
8. Sun SZ, Empie MW. 2007. Lack of findings for the association between obesity risk and usual sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in adults – A primary analysis of databases of CSFII-1989–1991, CSFII-1994–1998, NHANES III, and combined NHANES 1999–2002. Food Chem Toxicol 45(8):1523-1536.
