A sugary syrup used in food manufacture could partly account for rising rates of type 2 diabetes, say scientists.

Countries that use large amounts of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) have higher rates of the disease than those that consume little, a study has shown.

Among 42 countries studied, diabetes prevalence in the two groups was eight per cent and 6.7 per cent respectively, a difference of 20 per cent.

Professor Stanley Ulijaszek, from Oxford University, who co-led the study, said: “This research suggests that HFCS can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, which is one of the most common causes of death in the world today.”

HFCS has a greater proportion of fructose sugar than sucrose, which contains an equal amount of glucose. The syrup is widely used in processed foods because it acts as a sweetener and improves appearance, providing a consistent browning after oven heating.

Of the countries studied, the US had the greatest consumption per head of HFCS, amounting to 25kg per year. Hungary, Canada, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Argentina, Korea, Japan and Mexico were also high consumers.

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