Brussels, 2nd July 2026: A new publication in Nutrición Hospitalaria presenting the proceedings of the 1st Latin American Scientific Forum on Low/No Calorie Sweeteners brings together leading scientific expertise on a topic central to public health in the region: how to reduce excess sugar intake. The paper highlights the role of low/no calorie sweeteners and calls for stronger regional research and evidence-based policies.
The Forum, organised in November 2025 by the Iberoamerican Nutrition Foundation (FINUT) and the Marista University of Mérida in Mexico, with the support of the International Sweeteners Association (ISA), convened 25 scientists from across Latin America and internationally to review current research and identify priorities for the region.
Experts reaffirmed that approved low/no calorie sweeteners are safe within established intake limits and can help reduce sugar consumption: an important consideration as sugar intakes across Latin America remain above recommended levels, potentially leading to rising rates of obesity and other non-communicable diseases. Evidence discussed at the Forum showed that replacing sugars with these ingredients has neutral or modestly beneficial effects on body weight and cardiometabolic health and can support weight management when used within healthy dietary patterns.
The publication also highlights the importance of interpreting scientific evidence correctly. Differences between the outcomes of clinical trials and some observational studies can largely be explained by methodological limitations, including reverse causality (individuals already at higher risk of obesity, diabetes, or other health conditions may be more likely to choose products with low/no calorie sweeteners) or not accounting for key confounding factors.
Importantly, the paper notes that consumption of low/no calorie sweeteners across the region remains well below established safety levels, while cautioning that policies targeting these ingredients and introduced without robust impact assessments may have unintended consequences, such as discouraging food reformulation or shifting consumption towards higher-sugar options.
Looking ahead, experts call for increased investment in high-quality research and improved monitoring of dietary patterns in the region. They also emphasise that public health policies should be guided by the totality of the evidence to support informed decisions and avoid unintended consequences.