A review of 2017 science news around low calorie sweeteners

Going through the different sections of the ISA website and reviewing the scientific news published over the last year, made us realise that 2017 was a year with interesting new research and scientific publications around low calorie sweeteners, which we have summarised in this article and would like to share with the readers of the ISA website.

Highlights

  • Benefits of low calorie sweeteners in glucose control affirmed in new studies and systematic reviews and recognised in recent diabetes guidelines
  • Low calorie sweeteners may satisfy our sweet tooth; they do not increase appetite nor food intake, based on new findings
  • New research finds that consumers are using low calorie sweetened products as a means to reduce calorie intake and combat sweet food cravings

New research in 2017

A considerable number of new scientific studies and reviews published in peer-reviewed journals during last year has advanced our knowledge about the role of low calorie sweeteners in our diet. The benefits of low calorie sweeteners in weight regulation and glucose control have been the main focus in research, and new evidence has been added in what we already knew about their use.

New publications including new studies, systematic reviews and updated guidelines by organisations such as the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the US Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) affirmed the helpful role that low calorie sweeteners can play in glucose control and diabetes management. Indeed, low calorie sweeteners do not affect post-prandial glucose levels and homeostasis, as confirmed once again by a recent systematic review, while new human studies show that low calorie sweeteners do not affect insulin resistance.

For more information about low calorie sweeteners and glucose control, you may also read the following ISA article: ‘What health professionals should know about low calorie sweeteners’ effect on glucose control’.

’Sweetness without calories’ was another topic of high interest in 2017. A recent review concluded that low calorie sweeteners may help satisfy our sweet tooth, while a study by Monell Centre examining personal variations in liking for sugar and low calorie sweeteners found no difference in liking for sweet taste between obese and non-obese children and adults. Furthermore, a new clinical trial that has been presented in scientific congresses in 2017 confirmed previous findings showing that low calorie sweeteners do not influence food, energy or sugar intake, nor affect appetite. On the contrary, new findings suggest that consumers, and especially frequent consumers, may be using low calorie sweetened products as a means to reduce calorie intake and combat sweet food cravings.

Overall, and for more detailed information about the latest and key scientific publications on low calorie sweeteners, you may access the ISA scientific library which provides brief summaries with main findings of these studies by clicking here.

ISA congress news in 2017 that you wouldn’t want to miss

Finally, we present hereafter the most interesting articles with scientific news from 2017 congresses and scientific events that brought you the latest and most up-to-date information on low calorie sweeteners’ science:

  1. ‘Emerging scientific news about low calorie sweeteners presented at the greatest scientific event on nutrition globally’, 21st IUNS International Congress on Nutrition, Buenos Aires – please click here to read this ISA article
  2. ‘Experts present latest evidence about low calorie sweeteners’ effect on insulin sensitivity and diabetes’, 10th EFAD Conference, Rotterdam, Netherlands – please click here to read this ISA article
  3. ‘New evidence about low calorie sweeteners’ use as a means to help manage calorie intake and reduce sweet food cravings’, 24th European Congress on Obesity, Porto, Portugal – please click here to read this ISA article
  4. Highlights from the 35th International Symposium on Diabetes and Nutrition, Skagen, Denmark – please click here to read this ISA article
  5. ‘How can low calorie sweeteners help dieters?’, Sugar Reduction Summit, London, UK – please click here to read this ISA article

Consistent with the ISA website’s objective to provide you with the latest and evidence-based scientific information about low calorie sweeteners, we will continue this year to keep you informed on new science around low calorie sweeteners’ use, benefits and role in the diet.

Best wishes for a happy 2018!