Corn Refiners Association Statement on GHSU Study

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2012

CONTACT: David Knowles
(202) 331-1634

A study by researchers at Georgia Health Sciences University draws unfounded conclusions about cardiovascular risks associated with consuming fructose, which is found in many sweeteners, including table sugar (sucrose) and high fructose corn syrup. The authors have failed to provide needed perspective. Many of the markers they tracked for being “known to increase risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes” were actually measured in the study to be within normal ranges for all subject groups.

The study also erroneously suggests that consumption of high fructose corn syrup is increasing, which is not supported by published U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Intake from added sugars, including high fructose corn syrup, has been in decline for the past twelve years.

The authors clearly acknowledge several limitations of their study. Their results relied upon the memory of adolescents about what they ate – which may not reflect actual intake.

Fructose is a natural, simple sugar commonly found in fruits, vegetables and honey in addition to high fructose corn syrup and table sugar (sucrose). When fructose is present as a sweetener, less overall sweetener content is needed to provide an equal level sweetness, making reduced calorie options possible in many foods and beverages.

Despite its name, high fructose corn syrup is not “high” in fructose. It has less fructose than many common sweeteners, like agave nectar, and pear and apple juice concentrates. Table sugar and high fructose corn syrup have a similar composition according to the American Medical Association. The American Dietetic Association found that “Once absorbed into the bloodstream, the two sweeteners are indistinguishable”

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining (wet milling) industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.