The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) supports World Diabetes Day 2023 and acts upon the call to help increase awareness of diabetes risk and response
The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) supports World Diabetes Day (WDD), celebrated every year on 14th November, and the campaigns organised by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to help raise awareness of diabetes and the need for better care, education and resources to support people living with diabetes.
The theme of WDD 2023 is “Know your risk, know your response”.1 Knowing your risk of type 2 diabetes to help delay or prevent the condition is important. Having knowledge of and access to the right information and best available care, including to dietetic care for diabetes prevention and management is also vital.
Healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can help improve glucose control and reduce the risk of complications in people living with diabetes as well as lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in those at risk. Therefore, the ISA campaign for WDD 2023 aims to raise awareness about the importance of knowing what to eat for diabetes prevention and management.
About the ISA online campaign for WDD 2023
The ISA activities for WDD this year focus on an online campaign that informs on the latest nutritional guidelines for diabetes management and the recommendations for the intake of low/no calorie sweeteners in diabetes.
The ISA has developed a series of informative and educational resources including:
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- A video in support of WDD 2023 presenting recent clinical practice and nutritional guidelines for diabetes management as well as recommendations for the intake of low/no calorie sweeteners in diabetes
- A new ISA factsheet on low/no calorie sweeteners and diabetes, which is being launched on 14th November
- The updated ISA booklet including a new dedicated Chapter on “Low/no calorie sweeteners, diabetes and cardiometabolic health”, available online by clicking here
- A recipe leaflet with 5+1 sweet and healthy recipes with low/no calorie sweeteners
ISA activities for World Diabetes Day have been endorsed by diabetes organisations including the Brazilian Diabetes Association (ANAD), the Brazilian Association of Diabetes Educators (ANBED) and the Brazilian Federation of Diabetes’ Organisations (FENAD).
About the ISA educational activities
Committed to our objective to inform and educate on the most up-to-date scientific information on the role and benefits of low/no calorie sweeteners, the ISA also supports the organisation of a webinar in collaboration with the Brazilian Society for Food and Nutrition (SBAN – Sociedade Brasileira de Alimentação e Nutrição). The ISA webinar will take place on 1st December 2023 and will focus on “Recommendations and regulation on the use of low/no calorie sweeteners: Global and Brazilian perspectives”. The official languages of the webinar are Portuguese, Spanish and English.
We invite you to register to attend the highly interesting ISA webinar in collaboration with SBAN. More information on the programme and speakers of the ISA-SBAN webinar will be made available soon.
Recommendations for the nutritional management of diabetes
Alongside other cornerstones of diabetes management, a healthy diet has the potential to improve glucose control, reduce the risk of diabetes complications and improve quality of life.
In April 2023, the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group (DNSG) of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) published the updated “Evidence-based European recommendations for the dietary management of diabetes”.2 Their aim is to provide health professionals with evidence-based guidelines to inform discussions with patients on diabetes prevention and management.
The recommendations identified a range of foods and dietary patterns that are suitable for diabetes management. The guidelines encourage the consumption of whole grains, vegetables, whole fruit, legumes, nuts, seeds and non-hydrogenated vegetable oils, while minimising the consumption of red and processed meats, saturated fats, sodium, sugars and refined grains. It is recommended that intake of free/ added sugars should be below 10% of total energy intake and that low/no calorie sweeteners can be used to replace sugars in foods and beverages.
Earlier this year, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) published the annually updated “Standards of Care in Diabetes” including the ADA’s current clinical practice and medical nutrition therapy recommendations.3 In the 2023 update, ADA recommendation includes: “The use of non-nutritive sweeteners as a replacement for sugar-sweetened products may reduce overall calorie and carbohydrate intake as long as there is not a compensatory increase in energy intake from other sources. There is evidence that low- and no-calorie sweetened beverages are a viable alternative to water.”
Many other diabetes- and/or nutrition-related organisations globally recognise that low/no calorie sweeteners can be safely used by people with diabetes to help reduce overall energy and sugars intake without affecting blood glucose control, and thus be a helpful strategy to aid with glycaemic control and weight management.4-7 For more scientific information about the benefits of low/no calorie sweeteners for people living with diabetes, you may also read the dedicated ISA website page here.
Helpful resources to “Know your risk, know your response”
Know your risk!
The IDF Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool can provide support and guidance. Access the tool by clicking here.
Know your response!
Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group (DNSG) of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Evidence-based European recommendations for the dietary management of diabetes. Diabetologia. 2023 Jun;66(6):965-985. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-023-05894-8
ElSayed NA, Aleppo G, Aroda VR, et al, on behalf of the American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023. Diabetes Care. 2023 Jan 1;46(Supple 1) [pp. S68-S96 include Medical Nutrition Therapy recommendations. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc23-S005]
The IDF School of Diabetes offers a selection of free and premium online education courses to help healthcare professionals keep up-to-date with various aspects of diabetes management and treatment. Access the IDF School of Diabetes for healthcare professionals by clicking here.
Free courses are available on the IDF Understanding Diabetes platform to provide support and guidance to people living with diabetes. Access the IDF Understanding Diabetes platform by clicking here.
Follow the ISA online campaign for #WDD2023
Stay tuned on ISA social media profiles to find out more about our activities for #WDD2023!
Don’t forget to use the dedicated hashtags #ISA4WDD, #WorldDiabetesDay, #WDD2023, and to follow @SweetenersAndU, our Facebook and LinkedIn pages, as well as to subscribe to the ISA YouTube channel!
- More information about World Diabetes Day 2023 is available on the WDD website available at: https://worlddiabetesday.org
- Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group (DNSG) of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Evidence-based European recommendations for the dietary management of diabetes. Diabetologia. 2023 Jun;66(6):965-985. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-023-05894-8
- ElSayed NA, Aleppo G, Aroda VR, et al, on behalf of the American Diabetes Association. 5. Facilitating Positive Health Behaviors and Well-being to Improve Health Outcomes: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023. Diabetes Care. 2023 Jan 1;46(Supple 1):S68-S96. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc23-S005
- Diabetes UK. The use of low or no calorie sweeteners. Position Statement (Updated December 2018). Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/food-nutrition-lifestyle/use-of-low-or-no-calorie-sweetners (Accessed 20 October 2023)
- Laviada-Molina H, Escobar-Duque ID, Pereyra E, et al. Consenso de la Asociación Latinoamericana de Diabetes sobre uso de edulcorantes no calóricos en personas con diabetes [Consensus of the Latin-American Association of Diabetes on low calorie sweeteners in persons with diabetes]. Rev ALAD. 2018;8:152-74.
- Sievenpiper JL, Chan CB, Dworatzek PD, Freeze C, Williams SL. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Nutrition Therapy. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1):S64-S79
- MacLeod J, Franz MJ, Handu D, et al. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Practice Guideline for Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Adults: Nutrition Intervention Evidence Reviews and Recommendations. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017;117(10):1637-1658
