HFCS & Sugar Triglycerides

Researchers Find High Fructose Corn Syrup and Sucrose Affect Triglycerides Similarly

A recent study by Linda M Zukley, et al at the Rippe Lifestyle Institute reviewed the effects of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose on triglycerides in a study group of lean women. This short-term study found "no differences in the metabolic effects in lean women [of high fructose corn syrup] compared to sucrose," and called for further similar studies of obese individuals or individuals at risk for the metabolic syndrome.

Their paper was presented at the June 2007 meeting of The Endocrine Society. ("The Effect of High Fructose Corn Syrup on Post-Prandial Lipemia in Normal Weight Females" Program Abstract # P2-46)

An abstract of the study follows.

The Effect of High Fructose Corn Syrup on Post-Prandial Lipemia in Normal Weight Females.

Linda M Zukley, Joshua Lowndes, Kathleen J Melanson, Von Nguyen, Theodore J Angelopoulos, James M Rippe, Rippe Lifestyle Inst, Celebration, FL; Nutrit & Food Sci, Univ of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI

Fructose has been implicated in potentially promoting obesity, due in part to its lipogenic effect. Most work has examined the effects of pure fructose rather than high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), the commonly-consumed form of fructose. A further concern is that postprandial lipemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, may be greater after fructose consumption likely due to hepatic lipogenesis. In the past thirty years high fructose corn syrup has largely replaced sucrose as the sweetener used in carbonated soft drinks in the USA. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of HFCS versus sucrose sweetened soft drinks as part of a normal diet on triglycerides in normal weight females.

Thirty normal weight women (mean age 33.0 10.6 years, mean BMI 22.42 1.65) were studied on two randomized 2-day experimental visits to our metabolic unit during which high fructose corn syrup and sucrose sweetened beverages were consumed with isocaloric diets on day 1 while blood was sampled. On day 2 of these visits, food was eaten ad libitum. Blood was sampled every 30 minutes for the first 16 hours and then every 60 minutes thereafter. Net area under the curve was calculated using the trapezoidal method after subtracting each value from the baseline value.

No significant differences between the two experimental visits were seen in fasting values of triglycerides (p=NS). The within day variation was not different between the two experimental visits. Net areas under the curve were also similar (p=NS). There were no differences in energy or macronutrient intake on day 2 (ad-libitum feeding).

These short-term results suggest that when fructose is consumed in the form of high fructose corn syrup, there are no differences in the metabolic effects in lean women compared to sucrose. Further research is required to determine if the current findings hold true for obese individuals, or in individuals at risk for the metabolic syndrome.