High Fructose Corn Syrup – How sweet it is Corn has many uses How is corn processed? What is the difference A number of products can be made Corn is processed using either a between corn syrup and from corn. The largest single use of dry-grind or wet milling process. high fructose corn syrup corn is energy production. Almost Iowa has 36 dry-grind plants across (HFCS)? half (44%) of all corn is used to the state, which can only make Corn syrup is made by breaking the produce ethanol and fuel. The ethanol (2.8 gallons per bushel). long chains of molecules that form second largest use of corn is for Other by-products include carbon cornstarch into shorter chains, such animal feed. One-fourth (25%) of dioxide, distiller grains, distillers as glucose and maltose. The more all corn is used as animal feed to soluble, and distillers grains with cornstarch is hydrolyzed, the higher produce food for humans including solubles. Iowa has just six wet the corn syrup’s glucose content. beef, pork, chicken, eggs, and milling plants in southeast Iowa, High fructose corn syrup is made dairy products. which can make corn sweetener from corn syrup that has a high or ethanol. Edible forms of cornstarch are used amount of glucose. Additional in baking powder, soups, gravies In the wet milling process, a single enzymes are used to convert and sauces, pancake and waffle bushel of corn produces three some of the glucose into fructose, mixes, baby food, and chewing primary products: resulting in a sweeter corn syrup. gum. Corn is also a component • corn oil (1.6 pounds) used High fructose corn syrup has of food products such as cereals for cooking oil, margarine, several characteristics that (corn flakes), snacks (corn chips), mayonnaise, salad dressing, make it a popular ingredient for tortillas, sodas and other sweetened shortening, soups, printing ink, food manufacturers. beverages, ice cream and other soap, and leather tanning frozen foods. It may also be used • As a liquid, it is easily • 21% corn protein gluten in some beers and ales. Since the incorporated into beverages feed (13.5 pounds) used for 1970s, corn has also become widely and also stays in solution livestock and poultry feed and available to consumers in the form better—making a higher quality pet food of corn sweetener (syrup). product. • 60% corn gluten meal (2.6 • As a form of invert sugar, Corn also has industrial uses. pounds) used for pre-emergence Starch made from corn is used in fructose combines with protein herbicide, poultry feed, and fur in the presence of heat to give adhesives, plastics, rubber, paper, cleaner and textiles. browning—toasted bread is an plus ONE of three alternatives: example. Because it has a higher U.S. Corn Usage • 33 pounds of corn sweetener amount of fructose, HFCS provides better browning in 39% Feed used in a variety of food and beverage products baked products. 27% Ethanol and Fuel • 32 pounds of cornstarch used • Using HFCS instead of granular 16% Exports in products such as adhesives, sugar helps lock moisture in 9% Food and Industrial batteries, cardboard, crayons, baked products. This extends shelf life by keeping the 9% Residual degradable plastics, dyes, plywood, paper, antibiotics, baked product fresher for a Source: www.iowacorn.org chewing gum longer time period. This same moistness also gives cookies and • 2.5 to 2.7 gallons of ethanol or alcohol used for motor fuel snack bars a softer texture. additive, alcoholic beverages, industrial alcohol • Because it is a syrup (rather U.S. per capita caloric sweetener availability, 1970-2016 than granules), the fructose and Total sugar availabilitly increased about 20% between 1970 and 2000, glucose molecules do not form where it peaked at 152 pounds per person annually. Since 2000, total undesired crystals in candies sweetener has decreased slightly. Refined sugar (cane and beet) and corn and ice cream—giving those sweetener availability is similar at about 60 pounds per person annually. foods a smoother mouth feel and a more desirable product. • HFCS contributes thickness, or viscosity, to condiments and salad dressings. about 130 pounds • Historically, HFCS costs less than sugar. This price difference varies depending on the about 60 pounds demand and price for corn. each cane/ beet sugar How do sugar and corn (sucrose) sweeteners compare? and corn sweetener Both products are used as (corn syrup) sweeteners. Refined sugar (sucrose) and corn sweeteners are similar in chemical composition—both contain fructose and glucose—and are metabolized in a similar way by the body. Each contributes the same amount of energy (4 calories per consuming more calories than are At the same price, a 2-liter bottle gram or 16 calories per teaspoon). used in activity. As an ingredient in of soda contains 12 cents worth Refined sugar has equal amounts food and beverage products, corn of corn. (50 percent each) of glucose and sweeteners can be commonly found When priced at $2.28 per bushel, fructose. Corn sweeteners also have in less nutrient-dense foods and the value of the corn contained in glucose and fructose but in different contribute to energy intake. an 18-ounce box of corn flakes is 3 proportions. The percentage can The intake of corn sweeteners and cents (4 cents in the soda). vary but most is either 42% or refined sugars peaked about 2000 55% fructose, with the remaining and have declined slightly since being glucose (58% or 45%). The that time. Currently, availability of name “high fructose corn syrup” refined sugar and corn sweeteners is is a bit of a misnomer. It is really about the same. Total calories from an umbrella term for sweeteners refined sugar and corn sweeteners that vary in fructose and has contributed to the energy glucose content. imbalance leading to overweight and obesity. Are corn sweeteners responsible for the obesity Did you know? epidemic? A 2-liter bottle of soda contains more corn than an 18-ounce box of Prepared by Ruth Litchfield, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., State Nutrition The causes of obesity and and Wellness Specialist, Iowa State University Extension overweight are multi-faceted and corn flakes? (15 ounces compared and Outreach. to 12.9 ounces) Iowa State University Extension and Outreach does not cannot be attributed to any one discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, single factor. Weight gain occurs When corn sells for $7 per bushel, pregnancy, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, when there is an imbalance of socioeconomic status, or status as a U.S. veteran, or other an 18-ounce box of corn flakes protected classes. Direct inquiries to the Diversity Advisor, energy intake and energy output— contains 10 cents worth of corn. 515-294-1482, [email protected]. PM 2061 May 2019