corn syrup
Sweeteners
Is corn syrup high in glutamates?
Is corn syrup high or low in glutamates? See its exact rating, how much counts as a portion, and its FODMAP, salicylate, oxalate and diet compatibility in one place.
Related checkers
Compare corn syrup across criteria
Sensitivity notes
Why glutamates food checker matters
Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.
- MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
- Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
- Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
- Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
- Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower
Sensitivities
What corn syrup contains
FODMAPs
Histamine & Amines
Plant compounds
Irritants
Additives
Allergens
Diet fit
Where corn syrup fits
Therapeutic diets
Lifestyle diets
Religious diets
What to know about corn syrup
Corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup get talked about as one ingredient, and for anyone tracking fructose they are not. Plain corn syrup is glucose based and grades moderate for excess fructose and moderate for FODMAPs, while HFCS grades high on both plus fermentation. That does not make corn syrup a health food: it grades pro inflammatory and a poor fit for DASH and Mediterranean eating. It is clean on gluten, histamine, tyramine, sulfites and salicylates.
Watch for
- Moderate rather than high on excess fructose.Corn syrup is corn starch hydrolysed into glucose, and glucose actively helps the small intestine carry fructose across, which is why it sits well below high fructose corn syrup on the fructose malabsorption scale
- Still a moderate FODMAP by dose, and the dose is the point.Corn syrup shows up in fizzy drinks, sauces, sweets, cereal bars and baked goods, so the total across a day is what provokes symptoms rather than one spoonful
- Graded pro inflammatory and poor for both DASH and Mediterranean patterns.This is a refined sweetener with no fibre and no micronutrients, so the diet fit grades are about what it displaces
- Read the ingredient list rather than the front of pack.Many products list corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup together, and it is the HFCS that carries the high fructose, high FODMAP and poor fermentation grades
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Glutamates Guide
Everything you need to know about glutamates sensitivity and smart food choices.
Glutamates, including MSG, are flavor enhancers found naturally in many foods and added to others. Some people report sensitivity causing headaches, flushing, or other symptoms, though research on 'MSG syndrome' is mixed.
Sensitivity varies widely. What triggers one person may be fine for another. Track your reactions to find your personal threshold.
These foods are generally well-tolerated for Glutamates sensitivity:
View all safe options
These foods have moderate levels and may be tolerated in small amounts:
These foods are high in glutamates and may trigger symptoms:
View full list
If you're sensitive to Glutamates, consider these strategies:
- 1MSG goes by many names - look for 'glutamate' on labels
- 2Naturally high in soy sauce, fish sauce, and aged cheeses
- 3Tomatoes and mushrooms are naturally high in glutamates
- 4Yeast extract and hydrolyzed proteins contain glutamates
- 5Fresh, unprocessed foods are generally lower
Pro tip: Keep a food diary to track your reactions. The Triggerbites app makes this easy with automatic pattern detection.
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Get the AppFAQ
Is corn syrup high in Glutamates?
Glutamates: low signal for most people.
Can I still eat corn syrup if I'm sensitive to Glutamates?
Usually fine in normal portions.
What else should I check?
Check AIP, Specific Carbohydrate, and Paleo next for a fuller picture.