An overview of recent position statements on the use of low/no calorie sweeteners from professional nutrition and diabetes associations in Brazil and the UK
Highlights:
- Low/no calorie sweeteners have long been part of the dietary toolbox for people with diabetes, offering the sweetness of sugar without its impact on blood glucose. However, controversy over their role still exists. Recent position statements from leading diabetes and nutrition organisations in the United Kingdom1 and Brazil2 reaffirm that approved low/no calorie sweeteners are safe and can help people living with diabetes reduce sugar and energy intake and manage carbohydrate consumption, when used and as part of a healthy diet.
- In recent position statements from the British Dietetic Association (BDA), the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF), Diabetes UK (October 2025)1, and from Brazil’s Association of Nutrology (Associação Brasileira de Nutrologia – ABRAN), National Association for Diabetes Care (Associação Nacional de Atenção ao Diabetes – ANAD), and Brazilian Society of Food and Nutrition (Sociedade Brasileira de Alimentação e Nutrição – SBAN) (September 2025)2, the message is clear: low/no calorie sweeteners can play a role in supporting weight control and diabetes management, yet they are not a magic or stand-alone solution.
SAFE WITHIN ESTABLISHED LIMITS
All internationally approved low/no calorie sweeteners undergo rigorous safety assessments by authorities such as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During the approval process by these agencies, an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is established for each sweetener, which represents the amount of a sweetener that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.
Intake assessment studies globally consistently show that typical intake levels in the general population are well below these thresholds, even among high consumers such as people living with diabetes. Both position papers underline this key message: low/no calorie sweeteners are safe when consumed within the ADI.
A TOOL TO SUPPORT SUGAR REDUCTION AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Reducing free sugars intake remains a central public health goal worldwide. Replacing sugar with low/no calorie sweeteners can help lower energy (calorie) intake, contributing in turn to weight control.
Evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) supports this potential benefit: when low/no calorie sweeteners replace sugars, total energy intake and body weight tend to decrease modestly. Professional associations emphasise that low/no calorie sweeteners can be a useful aid for those seeking to reduce calorie intake or manage weight, particularly for people with high consumption of sugary drinks or foods.
However, diabetes and nutrition experts from these associations stress that low/no calorie sweeteners should not be seen as a stand-alone strategy. Sustainable health improvements depend on overall dietary quality including more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and reduced free sugars, saturated fats, and salt, alongside physical activity.
ROLE IN DIABETES MANAGEMENT
For individuals living with diabetes or those at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, low/no calorie sweeteners can offer a way to enjoy sweet taste without raising blood glucose levels. Based on strong evidence from RCTs, both position statements confirm that low/no calorie sweeteners do not raise blood glucose or insulin levels, making them a suitable substitute for sugars.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC
Professional organisations call for clear, evidence-based communication to consumers. Misunderstandings or overly simplistic messages, such as framing sweeteners as inherently “good” or “bad”, can erode trust and hinder informed choices.
Health professionals are encouraged to integrate low/no calorie sweeteners within the context of a balanced, individualised dietary plan that considers taste preferences, health goals, and cultural context. For example, while water and other unsweetened options are encouraged as the main beverages in the diet, recognising low/no calorie sweeteners drinks as pragmatic alternatives for people transitioning away from sugary ones could help many individuals, especially those who are high consumers of sugar-sweetened drinks. Generally, though, health professionals should emphasise overall dietary quality and moderation rather than focusing narrowly on any single ingredient.
INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS
The recent position statements from leading diabetes and nutrition associations in the UK and Brazil are in line with recommendations from other major organisations including the American Diabetes Association (ADA)3, the Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD)4, and the Latin American Association for Diabetes (Asociación Latinoamericana de Diabetes – ALAD)5.
The scientific consensus is clear: approved low/ no calorie sweeteners are safe within the Acceptable Daily Intake levels and can be a useful dietary tool to reduce sugar and energy intake, support weight control and diabetes management, and contribute to public health sugar reduction goals, when they are used within a balanced, nutritious diet.