By: Ann Bouchoux   Date: 4/27/10

Did you know that research has shown no direct link between moderate consumption of sugars and serious disease or obesity?  Did you know studies have shown that there’s no discernable difference between the way HFCS and table sugar are metabolized in the body?

These days there are a lot of misconceptions about sugars and while just about anyone with even a mild interest in nutrition issues has an opinion on it and those opinions are often shared loudly and with conviction, they’re not always matched with facts.  New nutrition studies are being published almost every week, impacting how the subject is communicated to consumers, how public policy is determined, and how dietary guidance is formulated. 

To help put existing and new science together for health professionals and nutrition communicators, the International Food Information Council Foundation has released its latest IFIC Review on the The Science of Sugars with the latest consensus science, both pro and con, on everything from the controversy about whether substitution of high fructose corn syrup for sucrose has had an impact on health, to liquid versus solid calories; physical and mental performance; and current issues and research needs, just to name a few of the many topic areas in the publication.

You may be scratching your head saying to yourself, “but the IFIC Review: The Science of Sugars has been around for years.”  True enough—the original of this document was first published in 1995, and revisions have been published periodically over the years.  As more and more research is done on the topic, we’re committed to updating you on what it all means. 

If you are a dietitian, a dietetics or nutrition science professional, educator, or student, this science based document is a great resource on this often-controversial subject.  Various perspectives are discussed and cited with 172 references from peer reviewed journals and government agencies to provide both balance and context to the understanding of sugars in all its forms.

As sugar gets debated more and more at higher and higher levels of government, the science behind it becomes more important than ever.  When you want to get the facts, know what the research is showing, and how best to communicate this information, the IFIC Review: The Science of Sugars is your one-stop shop for consensus science.