Registered Dietitians

Registered Dietitians share their views about
High Fructose Corn Syrup

“Well, the body digests table sugar very rapidly. And both HFCS and table sugar (sucrose) enter the bloodstream as glucose and fructose—the metabolism of which is identical. There is no significant difference in the overall rate of absorption between table sugar and HFCS, which explains why these two sweeteners have the same effects on the body.”

Becky Hand, R.D, L.D, M.Ed., lead advising dietician for SparkPeople.com and BabyFit.com
SparkPeople.com, September 1, 2009

“As a rule, journalists are trying to report something ‘new’ or something that challenges the usual way of thinking. This goal can contribute to reporting health stories that conflict. … Journalists writing about the supposed dangers of consuming high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) fell into that trap. As a result, many consumers blame HFCS for causing the obesity epidemic. … Most experts know that the composition of HFCS and sucrose are very similar and that the body uses both in the same way.”

Kathy Kolasa, R.D, Ph.D., Professor of Family Medicine and Pediatrics and head of the Division of Nutrition in Family Medicine, East Carolina University
The Daily Reflector, June 24, 2009

"Regardless if it's honey, cane sugar, high fructose
corn syrup or just plain sugar, we metabolize it the same."

Carrie Taylor, R.D., L.D.N., Registered Dietitian for Big Y Foods
ABC 40 News At 12, April 8, 2009

"The real deal about high fructose corn syrup is that your body doesn’t see it any differently than sugar or honey. Why? Because HFCS is comprised of approximately equal ratios of glucose and fructose just like sugar (sucrose) and honey. It is purified from corn with no artificial ingredients as sugar is derived from sugar cane and sugar beets. Sugar and corn syrup are equally sweet and both contain four calories per gram. You might have heard that honey is healthier than either sugar or HFCS. Honey does contain small amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals, but these compounds together make up less than 0.5% of honey. Depending on the type of floral, honey does contain varying levels of antioxidants."

Susan Mitchell, Ph.D., R.D., L.N., Family Circle Health and Medical Advisory Board Member
ThirdAge.com, November 20, 2008

"From a registered dietitian with two degrees in nutrition and over 30 years working in the field, the truth is the body is absolutely unable to distinguish “white table sugar” (or sucrose, its scientific name) from HFCS."

Neva Cochran, M.S., R.D., L.D., Nutrition Consultant and Writer
Mason County News, October 29, 2008

"Much of the debate surrounding HFCS focuses on differences in the metabolic effects of glucose and fructose, the two simple sugars that combine to make the product. But both table sugar (sucrose) and HFCS are composed of nearly equal amounts of fructose and glucose. Since sucrose is easily broken down in the digestive tract to the two simple sugars, both HFCS and table sugar seem to result in absorption of similar amounts of fructose and glucose."

Karen Collins, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Nutrition Advisor
AICR Nutrition Notes, September 8, 2008

"High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sugar, nothing more, nothing less. If you choose not to eat it, I’m fine with that decision. But your decision should be made because you have decided to eat less sweetened foods and drinks, not because you believe HFCS is some dietary devil to be avoided at all costs."

Jo-Ann Heslin, M.A., R.D., C.D.N., Food and Nutrition Columnist HealthNewsDigest.com
HealthNewsDigest.com, July 20, 2008