High Fructose Corn Syrup Facts

High-fructose corn syrup is made by changing glucose found in cornstarch to fructose--a different form of sugar. The final product, is a mixture of fructose and glucose known as high-fructose corn syrup. The reason for high-fructose corn syrup is that it is cheaper than regular sugar, and it extends the life of shelved processed foods, such as soft drinks, juices and breads.

• High-fructose corn syrup is a natural sugar made from the starch in corn grain.

Sugar

• High-fructose corn syrup is equally sweet and contains the same amount of calories as table sugar--four calories per gram.

Metabolism

• At one time, many people believed that there was a difference in the way your body metabolizes table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. However, once both types of sugar are absorbed into the blood stream, they are both metabolized the same.

USFDA

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) approves of the term "natural" when referring to high-fructose corn syrup. High-fructose corn syrup is a natural grain product that does not contain any artificial ingredients.

Obesity

• The American Medical Association has announced that high-fructose corn syrup does not contribute to obesity problems any more than table sugar or other sugar products.

Myths

• It was once believed that products made with high-fructose corn syrup were worse for your body than table sugar--this is not true. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, this former belief is a myth.