Nonnutritive Sweeteners in Weight Management and Chronic Disease
abstract
This abstract is available on the publisher's site.
Access this abstract nowOBJECTIVE
The objective of this review was to critically review findings from recent studies evaluating the effects of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNSs) on metabolism, weight, and obesity-related chronic diseases. Biologic mechanisms that may explain NNS effects will also be addressed.
METHODS
A comprehensive review of the relevant scientific literature was conducted.
RESULTS
Most cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies report positive associations between NNS consumption, body weight, and health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Although findings in cellular and rodent models suggest that NNSs have harmful effects on metabolic health, most randomized controlled trials in humans demonstrate marginal benefits of NNS use on body weight, with little data available on other metabolic outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
NNS consumption is associated with higher body weight and metabolic disease in observational studies. In contrast, randomized controlled trials demonstrate that NNSs may support weight loss, particularly when used alongside behavioral weight loss support. Additional long-term, well-controlled intervention studies in humans are needed to determine the effects of NNSs on weight, adiposity, and chronic disease under free-living conditions.
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Additional Info
Disclosure statements are available on the authors' profiles:
Nonnutritive Sweeteners in Weight Management and Chronic Disease: A Review
Obesity 2018 Apr 01;26(4)635-640, AC Sylvetsky, KI RotherFrom MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Nonnutritive Sweeteners
Nonnutritive Sweeteners (NNS) will help with weight loss if substituted for high calorie sugar. But there are concerns beyond calorie reduction which this review by Sylvetsky and Rother explores. The authors have no disclosures, and this was a NON-industry sponsored review.
Observational studies have shown that drinking NNS sweetened beverages is associated with weight gain with greater visceral adiposity even though there was a reduction in total energy intake. Other observational studies have correlated a 22% higher incidence of diabetes among NNS consumers and recently we reviewed a study showing that NNS sweetened diet sodas were associated with a higher incidence of stroke and dementia.
Possible Mechanisms: Sweetness
There are packets of these blue, pink and yellow NNS on the majority of the restaurant tables. And now they are being used as main sweeteners in processed foods, including baked goods. Although the evidence is inconclusive, there is enough to be concerned about the potential public health effects of these products and encourages us to simply eat multi-colored whole foods and drink water until we have enough evidence proving safety.