Monday, March 22, 2010

A sweet problem: Princeton researchers find that high-fructose corn syrup prompts considerably more weight gain

A Princeton University research team has demonstrated that all sweeteners are not equal when it comes to weight gain: Rats with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained significantly more weight than those with access to table sugar, even when their overall caloric intake was the same.

In addition to causing significant weight gain in lab animals, long-term consumption of high-fructose corn syrup also led to abnormal increases in body fat, especially in the abdomen, and a rise in circulating blood fats called triglycerides. The researchers say the work sheds light on the factors contributing to obesity trends in the United States.

"Some people have claimed that high-fructose corn syrup is no different than other sweeteners when it comes to weight gain and obesity, but our results make it clear that this just isn't true, at least under the conditions of our tests," said psychology professor Bart Hoebel, who specializes in the neuroscience of appetite, weight and sugar addiction. "When rats are drinking high-fructose corn syrup at levels well below those in soda pop, they're becoming obese -- every single one, across the board. Even when rats are fed a high-fat diet, you don't see this; they don't all gain extra weight."

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3 comments:

  1. Clinical studies are valuable to determine treatment. While studies on rats are often used – as a start – one study has little value. As a registered dietitian and consultant to the food industry (like the Corn Refiners Assoc.) and a college professor I ask people to make sensible decisions based on credible information. Like sucrose, honey and other nutritive sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup has calories. Excessive calories – from whatever source – can promote weight gain. High fructose corn syrup is only in very small amounts in everyday foods and beverages. According to the American Dietetic Association, “high fructose corn syrup…is nutritionally equivalent to sucrose. Once absorbed into the blood stream, the two sweeteners are indistinguishable.”

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  2. @dieto8-
    Wow, way to be ignorant & believe everything you are told. The ADA is hand in hand with the Corn Refiners and the FDA, of course they tell you that it's "fine in moderation", even though it is never included in processed foods in any kind of moderation, & there are many more reasons why it is bad including mercury contamination (& I really don't see how something soaked in sulfuric acid for 16 hours is healthy). Why would they tell you to avoid it & hurt their million dollar industry?

    I am a junior dietetics major at CSU, & I am utterly appalled & embarrassed at the joke that is the U.S. dietetic industry. In my current classes we are going over the evils of the corn industry & why things are how they are. It is no wonder Americans (& 90% of the dietitians I have seen/talked to) are overweight. I am considering going overseas to work because they focus on what actually is important-a holistic, natural approach, what our bodies were designed for. Not complete garbage "in moderation".

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  3. Let's get healthy world! Wake up!

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