The November 29 study in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology incorrectly suggests that consumption of ‘excessive’ fructose in the American diet may play a unique role in high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease. It is important to note that the authors’ hypothesis, drawn largely from rat and epidemiological studies rather than human trials, fails to take into account studies conducted with human subjects consuming table sugar and high fructose corn syrup at typical intake levels consistently return normal range values for important metabolic markers like serum glucose and insulin; appetite hormones ghrelin and leptin; triglycerides and uric acid; and for measured feelings of hunger and satiety.
While obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, renal disease, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease are serious health conditions, it is certainly premature and inappropriate, not to mention potentially misleading, to suggest that simple sugars found in nature, like fructose, are uniquely responsible for these debilitating medical conditions.
The American Medical Association stated that, “Because the composition of high fructose corn syrup and sucrose are so similar, particularly on absorption by the body, it appears unlikely that high fructose corn syrup contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose.”
As many dietitians agree, all sugars should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Consumers can see the latest research and learn more about high fructose corn syrup at www.SweetSurprise.com.
Audrae Erickson
President
Corn Refiners Association
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The November 29 study in Journal of the American Society of Nephrology incorrectly suggests that consumption of ‘excessive’ fructose in the American diet may play a unique role in high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease. It is important to note that the authors’ hypothesis, drawn largely from rat and epidemiological studies rather than human trials, fails to take into account studies conducted with human subjects consuming table sugar and high fructose corn syrup at typical intake levels consistently return normal range values for important metabolic markers like serum glucose and insulin; appetite hormones ghrelin and leptin; triglycerides and uric acid; and for measured feelings of hunger and satiety.
While obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, renal disease, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease are serious health conditions, it is certainly premature and inappropriate, not to mention potentially misleading, to suggest that simple sugars found in nature, like fructose, are uniquely responsible for these debilitating medical conditions.
The American Medical Association stated that, “Because the composition of high fructose corn syrup and sucrose are so similar, particularly on absorption by the body, it appears unlikely that high fructose corn syrup contributes more to obesity or other conditions than sucrose.”
As many dietitians agree, all sugars should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced lifestyle.
Consumers can see the latest research and learn more about high fructose corn syrup at www.SweetSurprise.com.
Audrae Erickson
November 30, 2010 - 9:27amPresident
Corn Refiners Association
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