ABOUT THE ISA SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUMThere is a global consensus on the need to reduce excessive sugar consumption. This has led to increased interest in the use of low/no calorie sweeteners as a strategy to reduce sugar intake, alongside ongoing scientific evaluations of their safety, role in health, and potential benefits. The symposium proposed by the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) aims to inform delegates about the latest scientific developments on low/no calorie sweeteners, including recent assessments by European authorities, new data on their role in diabetes management, and emerging evidence on their impact on sweet-taste preference.
Alexandra Tard, Scientific Officer at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), will present EFSA’s work on dietary exposure assessments as part of the agency’s ongoing re-evaluation of the safety of sweeteners. She will detail the methodologies used, the current state of progress, key insights, and the perspectives for future work.
Prof. Fabrice Bonnet will review recent scientific findings on the effects of low/no-calorie sweetened foods and beverages on glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity, with particular relevance to clinical practice and diabetes management.
The question of whether exposure to sweet-tasting foods may influence preference for sweetness has been explored through a long-term randomised controlled trial conducted by Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Prof. Katherine Appleton. The results of this “Sweet Tooth” RCT will be presented during the symposium, providing new evidence on whether sweet-taste exposure modulates sweet-taste preference.
The session will conclude with a scientific discussion moderated by Prof. Jean-Marie Bard, offering participants the opportunity to interact directly with the speakers.
