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."

http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/91/22K07/

This study came out four days ago and still no major paper has a story on it. Some have reported it in their blog sections but since DU's LBN page doesn't allow posting of blog stories this story can't even reach DU's news page.

In every case rats got fatter. EVERY CASE. And it is very hard to find food in the grocery store which doesn't contain this nasty sickening sweet stuff.

like 'speaking of the devil,' the mere mention of the term invokes a flock of seagulls to appear out of nowhere, make a good deal of noise, shit all over everything, and depart - leaving a big mess in their wake.

We can only hope that a preponderance of evidence makes it increasingly difficult to ignore the effects of HFCS in the modern diet, making life more difficult for the spambot-like denialists who have set up shop on DU.

and I expect newspapers are bullied also.

Even the newspaper blog entries treat the story with kid gloves with headlines such as

High Fructose Corn Syrup Worse Than Sugar?
The Debate on High Fructose Corn Syrup goes on
Is that right? High Fructose Corn Syrup makes you fat?


Making it all a question. There is no question in the study. ALL rats got fat.


There's a lot of money being thrown toward keeping any bad news about HFCS away from the public. The naysayer posters here at DU are probably part of this campaign.

I've been accused of having my tinfoil hat screwed on too tightly for raising the possibility that paid posters have found a home on DU. And, yes, I'm aware of how widespread the phenomenon is all over the internet; it's particularly galling, however, when it happens on a board I consider 'home.'

Chump change when billions are at stake.

they are just trying desperately to justify their consumption... Posting any current research showing the detrimental health effects specific to HFCS has them coming in droves to scream "sugar is sugar," and the like....

I am always amazed at how some hold onto dogma, no matter what.

It always gives me a heavy "mouth feel" when I drink soda with corn syrup. The stuff I occasionally buy that has cane sugar in it tastes better, and feels "crisper" on the tongue. Amazing how the corn lobby can push this revolting stuff.

Not only do I agree with you, entire nations do. Coke made in Mexico is cane sugar, because HFCS taste was rejected there for viscosity and dullness.
It is even worse in baked goods. Wadded dough in the mouth equal HFCS mucking up the bread. Yuck.

the sugar out... I remember being very young and getting those tiny 15cent glass bottles of coke or sprite once or twice a week at school during recess. How good they tasted when they were chilled to the point of starting to freeze...It was probably 6 or at most 8 ounces... But about the time of the "new Coke" debacle, they all switched to HFCS. I simply hate soft drinks now...

The resolution I've stuck with this year (and last) was to give up diet soft drinks as well and switch over to filtered water and high quality green, white, and some black tea--all which I enjoy unsweetened. Best change I ever made. ;)


But, you know, I guess a lot of people really can't tell the difference between HFCS and sucrose-sweetened drinks.... Go figure. :shrug:

which need to be investigated further. A lot of people suspect that HFCS is more dangerous than sugar and this study confirms it. Now the study needs to be replicated by others (not connected with industry) and the results published. In the meantime, I've removed HFCS from my diet entirely. But I've also cut back sugar to a bare minimum.

UC of Denver's study showed that HFCS produced fatty livers
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/03/15/daily58.html

Duke University's study showed liver damage due to fat buildup from HFCS
http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2010/03/15/daily44.html?q=%20fructose%20%20study

UC study shows fructose more fattening than other drink sweeteners
http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/07/25/daily43.html?q=%20fructose%20%20study


Of course there isn't much money out there for studies to prove that a very profitable additive is bad for one's health.

I used to drink 6 Dr. Peppers a day and never gained a pound. I've been thin my entire life.

However, it did make me SICK almost constantly. My IBS and daily headaches are now gone because I stopped drinking HFCS and replaced it with water.