Baby formula contains a number of ingredients that aim to mimic the nutritional profile of breast milk. One of the most common ingredients found in standard cow’s milk-based infant formulas is corn syrup solids. This added sweetener raises questions for many parents about why it is included in baby formula in the first place.
What are corn syrup solids?
Corn syrup solids go by a few other names, including maltodextrin and dried glucose syrup. They are derived from corn starch and consist of short chains of glucose molecules. The starch is broken down into the individual glucose units through enzymatic processing and then concentrated into a syrup. The syrup is further processed to remove the water content, resulting in a dry, powdered sweetener.
Compared to other added sugars, corn syrup solids are less sweet, with about 20% of the sweetness of granulated sugar. They are favored in processed foods, like baby formula, because they are easy to mix into liquids, dissolve quickly, and provide a smooth texture. The main functions of corn syrup solids in infant formula are to add sweetness, act as a thickening agent, and help prevent separation of ingredients.
Why are corn syrup solids added to formula?
There are a few reasons manufacturers add corn syrup solids to standard cow’s milk-based baby formulas:
- To make the formula sweeter and closer to the taste of breastmilk – Human breastmilk contains around 7% lactose, a natural milk sugar, which makes it slightly sweet. Corn syrup solids are added to formula to mimic this sweetness.
- To match the caloric density of breastmilk – Breastmilk provides around 20 calories per ounce. Corn syrup solids help standard formulas achieve a similar caloric density to breastmilk.
- For ease of mixing – Corn syrup solids dissolve quickly in liquids, making formulas easier to mix smoothly without clumping.
- To improve texture – The glucose polymers create a smooth, creamy texture in prepared formula.
- To stabilize the formula – Corn syrup solids help maintain an even distribution of nutrients and prevent separation of ingredients.
Essentially, manufacturers believe corn syrup solids improve the overall palatability and nutritional profile of cow’s milk-based infant formulas. The intention is to create a formula that is as close to breastmilk as possible when breastfeeding is not an option.
Nutritional Profile of Corn Syrup Solids
When considering the inclusion of corn syrup solids in formula, it is important to understand their nutritional makeup:
Macronutrients
- Carbohydrates – Primarily glucose molecules, providing 4 calories per gram.
- No protein, fat, fiber, or other macronutrients.
Micronutrients
- No vitamins or minerals.
- No cholesterol.
- Gluten-free.
So in essence, corn syrup solids only provide carbohydrate energy in the form of simple sugars. There are no other nutritional benefits. The amounts of corn syrup solids in standard infant formula are generally kept low enough not to displace other nutrients. But the ingredient is still somewhat controversial since simple sugars provide empty calories without any other nutrition.
Common Concerns about Corn Syrup Solids in Formula
Here are some of the common concerns parents raise about the inclusion of corn syrup solids in baby formula:
Overconsumption of sugar
Parents worry the added sugars set up babies’ taste buds to prefer very sweet flavors. This could raise their desire for sugary foods and beverages as they grow older. It’s true that breastfed babies are exposed to less added sugars than formula-fed infants. However, the amounts in formula are intended to mirror lactose levels in breastmilk. More research is needed to determine if small amounts of added sugars in infancy have any lasting impact on taste preferences.
Higher blood sugar and insulin levels
There are concerns that corn syrup solids could cause spikes in blood sugar and insulin compared to lactose. Some research has found higher blood glucose levels in formula-fed infants compared to breastfed babies after feeding. But the overall long-term impacts are still understudied. For most healthy babies, the small amounts of corn syrup solids in formula are well-tolerated. But parents of babies with a family history of type 1 diabetes or metabolic conditions may wish to avoid corn syrup solids.
Overfeeding and excess calories
Since corn syrup solids increase the calorie density of formula, some parents worry about overfeeding and babies getting too many calories. This is a valid concern, but can be mitigated by following recommended serving sizes carefully and paying attention to hunger and fullness cues. Calories from corn syrup solids are no more likely to cause overfeeding issues than calories from fats or proteins in formula. But they provide no other nutrition.
Higher risk of obesity later in life
A handful of studies have found an association between consumption of formula containing corn syrup solids and higher rates of obesity later in childhood compared to breastfed babies. But more research is needed to determine if corn syrup solids directly cause this effect. Obesity risk likely depends more on feeding behaviors, genetics, and lifestyle factors. For most babies, the corn syrup solids in formula do not appear to pose any significant risk for obesity.
Greater consumption of ultra-processed foods
Corn syrup solids are common in many processed convenience foods with negative health impacts. Some parents thus feel corn syrup solids in formula promote reliance on processed foods instead of natural, nutritious whole foods. But infant dietary patterns depend much more on family diet and feeding styles than on corn syrup solids exposure in the first year of life.
Higher allergy risk
A major concern is that corn syrup solids could increase allergy risk, especially since corn is a common allergenic food. But rigorous studies have not found corn syrup solids in infant formula to be linked to higher likelihood of developing corn allergies or other food allergies. More research is still needed on this topic, however.
Alternatives to Corn Syrup Solids in Formula
Some baby formula brands offer alternatives without corn syrup solids, attempting to appeal to parents who want to avoid added sugars. Here are some common substitutes used:
Lactose
Lactose is milk sugar found naturally in both breastmilk and cow’s milk. Using extra lactose in place of corn syrup solids results in a formula with only natural milk-based sweeteners.
Tapioca syrup/maltodextrin
Derived from the starchy root of the cassava plant, tapioca syrup provides glucose polymers like corn syrup solids, but from a non-corn source.
Brown rice syrup
Brown rice syrup is made by breaking down brown rice starch into maltose and glucose sugars. It acts as a sweetener and thickening agent without using any corn-derived ingredients.
Potato starch
Some formulas use potato starch to replace the texture and stability functions of corn syrup solids without impacting sweetness.
Sunflower oil/other fats
Higher fat content from oils can replace the caloric density provided by corn syrup solids, but without adding sugars.
Dietary fiber
Added fibers like inulin or oat fiber can help provide texture, stabilize formulas, and reduce reliance on corn syrup solids.
Lower/no added sugars
Some newer formulas minimize all added sugars. They rely on lactose for minimal sweetness and use other approaches for texture and stability.
For babies who need formula but have a family history of diabetes, obesity, or metabolic disorders, choosing an alternative without corn syrup solids may offer some advantages. Otherwise, limited research indicates small amounts of corn syrup solids pose little risk to healthy infants in conventional formulas. But more studies on long-term impacts are still needed.
Tips for Limiting Corn Syrup Solids Intake
Here are some tips for parents wishing to limit corn syrup solids in their baby’s diet:
- Breastfeed as much as possible to avoid formula ingredients altogether.
- Look for formula brands clearly labeled as having “No Corn Syrup Solids.”
- Choose European-style formulas as these are less likely to contain corn syrup solids.
- Select organic formula options, which prohibit corn syrup solids and other synthetic ingredients.
- Opt for formula brands that favor lactose or other natural carbohydrates over added sugars.
- Avoid labels like “glucose syrup”, “dried glucose syrup” or “maltodextrin” which reflect corn-based additives.
- Pay close attention to serving sizes to avoid over-concentrating formula and excess calories.
- Transition to plain whole milk and unsweetened solids at 12 months instead of continuing formula.
Following these tips can help reduce corn syrup solid consumption. But for most infants, the small amounts in conventional formulas are not a major health concern.
The Bottom Line
Corn syrup solids like all added sugars in processed foods have downsides. But based on current evidence, parents do not need to panic about the amounts found in standard infant formulas. Here are some key takeaways when it comes to corn syrup solids in baby formula:
- Corn syrup solids add sweetness, texture, and stability to cow’s milk formula to better mimic breastmilk.
- The ingredients provide calories with no other nutritional value.
- Research is still limited on long-term health impacts for babies.
- Alternative formulas without corn syrup solids are available for interested parents.
- For most infants, small amounts of corn syrup solids in formula appear safe.
- But babies with a family history of metabolic disorders may benefit from avoiding corn syrup solids.
- Breastfeeding remains the best way to avoid corn syrup solids and provide optimum infant nutrition.
At the end of the day, every family must weigh the risks and benefits of formula ingredients for their individual circumstances. While some parents may wish to avoid corn syrup solids, limiting consumption is likely more important than completely eliminating small amounts in conventional formulas. Parents should focus on nutrition across the whole first year with solids introduction and avoid becoming overly fixated specifically on formula. With a balanced approach, parents can mitigate any potential risks from formula corn syrup solids.
