Low/no calorie sweeteners do not affect glycaemic response

ISA statement in response to new study by Suez, Elinav et al.

Brussels, 19^th August 2022:  Contrary to outcomes of a new study by Suez, Elinav, et al.¹ on low/no calorie sweeteners and gut microbiota, the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) would like to point to collective evidence from clinical trials showing that low/no calorie sweeteners do not adversely affect glycaemic control.^2,3,4,5,6

The conclusions presented by Suez, Elinav et al in the press release of the new unblinded randomised controlled trial (RCT) that “some [low/no calorie sweeteners] can alter human consumers’ microbiomes in a way that can change their blood sugar levels” is not supported by results of numerous clinical trials and systematic reviews of RCTs,^2-6 examining a range of low/no calorie sweeteners’ intakes and study conditions, and showing lack of effect of low/no calorie sweeteners on glycaemia. Differences in blood glucose reported in this study of healthy individuals may reflect inter- and intra-individual differences in glycaemic responses to a home-performed glucose tolerance test. Moreover, the clinical significance or long-term relevance of small, highly personalised, deviations in blood glucose levels of healthy individuals is questionable, especially since long-term gold-standard glucose control marker (HbA1c) and other health markers were not affected by low/no calorie sweeteners in comparison to control groups. No conclusions about the effects of low/no calorie sweeteners on glucose control or overall health can be extrapolated from this study for the general population or for people who typically consume sweeteners, including people living with diabetes.

In contrast to the hypothesis made by the authors that low/no calorie sweeteners can affect human metabolism by alteration of the intestinal microbiome, a recent review of the literature concluded that there is clear evidence that changes in the diet unrelated to low/no calorie sweeteners consumption are likely the major determinants of change in gut microbiota.⁷ Indeed, participants’ diet, while recorded, was not fully controlled in this study. Therefore, the impact of dietary intake aspects beyond energy and nutrient intakes, such as intake of specific foods, which have been shown to induce changes in the gut microbiota composition⁸, cannot be ruled out. A lack of effect of different low/no calorie sweeteners on the microbiome is also supported by the results of recent human clinical studies.^9,10,11 This is line with scientific opinions of regulatory authorities worldwide which have repeatedly confirmed the safety of all approved low/no calorie sweeteners^12,13,14, including no adverse effect of low/no calorie sweeteners on gut microbiota.

At a time when obesity and non-communicable diseases including diabetes and dental diseases remain major global health challenges, and in light of current public health recommendations to reduce overall sugar intake, low/no calorie sweeteners can be helpful in creating healthier food environments. They provide people with a wide choice of sweet-tasting options with low or no calories, and thus can be a useful tool, when used in place of sugar and as part of a balanced diet, in helping reduce overall sugar and calorie intake, as well as in managing blood glucose levels.¹⁵ Low/no calorie sweeteners are also not fermentable by oral bacteria, which means that they do not contribute to tooth demineralisation, which is one of the reasons for tooth decay.¹⁵