Scientific library

The Science Library is a useful resource, which is easy to navigate, and provides abstracts and brief summaries with the main findings of key scientific studies published in peer-reviewed journals, on low/no calorie sweeteners’ safety, benefits and role in the diet.

Covering a wide range of topics such as the role of low/no calorie sweeteners in weight management and obesity, their use in diabetes management, their impact on oral health, their safety, the role of sweet taste overall, scientists and health professionals can easily find here all the latest studies of the scientific literature.

Author(s): Mennella JA, Coffman DL, Merchan MT, Croce CM, Smethers AD, Fisher JO.
Publication name: Am J Clin Nutr. 2026 Mar 13:101272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101272
Publication year: 2026

Abstract Background: Children consume more added sugar than recommended, with snacks a major source. Objectives: To determine the effects of repeated exposure to lower-sugar snacks,…

Author(s): Čad EM, Appleton KA, Blaak EE, Dakin C, de Graaf K, Finlayson G, Forde CG, Halford JCG, Kjolbak L, Mars M, Martinez JA, Navas-Carretero S, Raben A, Scott C, Harrold JA.
Publication name: Nutrients. 2026;18(11):1647. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111647
Publication year: 2026

Abstract: Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) are consumed to reduce intake by providing a sweet taste with little to no energy. Despite regulatory approval and extensive use,…

Author(s): Sclafani A, Ackroff K, Glendinning JI.
Publication name: Physiol Behav. 2026 Apr 7:115332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2026.115332
Publication year: 2026

Abstract: Dietary sugars are highly attractive and promote eating and, in some cases, overeating and obesity. In addition to sweet taste, sugars have postoral actions…

Author(s): Ayoub-Charette S, Nguyen M, Chiavaroli L, Mattes R, de Souza R, Khan T, Higgins K, Saxena N, MacKay D, Panahi S, Sievenpiper J, Malik V.
Publication name: Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2026 Jan 1;51:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2025- 0440
Publication year: 2026

Abstract: Low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) (also referred to as non-nutritive sweeteners) have been the subject of controversy, especially considering recent conditional recommendations by the…

Author(s): Wang M. Wu OY, Wallen OG, Mozaffarian D.
Publication name: Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2026;28:65 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-026-01429-9
Publication year: 2026

Abstract Purpose of review In this narrative review complemented by a novel meta-analysis, we critically analyzed current scientific evidence from RCTs and cohort studies regarding…

Author(s): Choi JH, Song S, Kim SK, Cho JW, Bae JH, Moon S, Lim JH, Lee Y, Hwang JY, Song Y, Kim SS.
Publication name: Diabetes Metab J. 2026 Jan;50(1):32-46. https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2025.0848
Publication year: 2026

Abstract Background: Excess intake of added sugars contributes to obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and premature mortality. Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), the…

Author(s): H.K. K, Nayak S, Rahman N, Darboe R, Hashemi M, Balivada K, Ghazalgoo A, Amini-Salehi E, Fleischman M, Nguyen A
Publication name: Eur J Med Res. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-026-04136-y
Publication year: 2026

Abstract Background: Artificial sweeteners (AS) are widely used as sugar substitutes, particularly among individuals with metabolic disorders. Although AS are approved by regulatory authorities, concerns…

Author(s): Espinosa A, Pacheco LS, Wan Y, Sun Q, Hu FB, Tobias DK, Willett WC, Mattei J.
Publication name: Am J Clin Nutr. 2026 Mar 5:101261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2026.101261
Publication year: 2026

Abstract Background: Whether habitually consuming artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) in place of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with weight changes is unclear. Objectives: To evaluate…

Author(s): Andersen SSH, Kjølbæk L, Halford JCG, Harrold JA, Raben A.
Publication name: Nutrients. 2026 Mar 17;18(6):948. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18060948
Publication year: 2026

Abstract Background/Objectives: Sweeteners and sweetness enhancers (S&SEs) have been proposed to potentially impair appetite regulation by stimulating sweet taste receptors beyond the perception of sweetness, similar…

Author(s): Boxall LR, Dalby H, Arden-Close E, James J, Appleton KM.
Publication name: J Nutr Sci. 2026 Jun 18;15:e47. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2026.10118
Publication year: 2026

Abstract This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to reducing free sugar intakes while participants were in the process of attempting to do this.…

Author(s): Čad EM, van der Kruijssen M, Tang CS, Pretorius L, de Jong HBT, Mars M, Appleton KM, de Graaf K.
Publication name: Food Quality and Preference. 2025;130:105536. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2025.105536
Publication year: 2025

Abstract Authoritative public health agencies, like the WHO, recommend reducing dietary sweetness to lower sweet liking, and thereby indirectly lowering sugar and energy intake. However,…

Author(s): European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings
Publication name: EFSA J. 2025 Jul 4;23(7):e9480
Publication year: 2025

Abstract The present opinion deals with the re-evaluation of neotame (E 961) as a food additive. Neotame is the chemically manufactured compound N-[N-(3,3-dimethylbutyl)-l-α-aspartyl]-l-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester.…

Author(s): Pang MD, Kjølbæk L, Bastings JJAJ, Andersen SSH, Umanets A, Sost MM, Navas-Carretero S, Reppas K, Finlayson G, Hodgkins CE, Del Álamo M, Lam T, Moshoyiannis H, Feskens EJM, Adam TCM, Goossens GH, Halford JCG, Harrold JA, Manios Y, Martinez JA, Blaak EE, Raben A.
Publication name: Nat Metab. 2025 Oct 7. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-025-01381-z (open access)
Publication year: 2025

Abstract Consumption of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers (S&SEs) is a popular strategy to reduce sugar intake, but the role of S&SEs in body weight regulation…

Author(s): European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings
Publication name: EFSA J. 2025 Apr 30;23(4):e9317
Publication year: 2025

Abstract The present opinion deals with the re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as a food additive. Acesulfame K (E 950) is the chemically manufactured…

Author(s): Ayoub-Charette S, Kavanagh M, Khan T, Sievenpiper J.
Publication name: Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2025;50:1-26. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2025-0068
Publication year: 2025

Abstract Inconsistency among evidence syntheses has led to opposing guidelines and public confusion regarding low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) in noncommunicable diseases. To understand the…

Author(s): Odegaard AO, Chang J, Jiang L, Rashid S, Rydell S, Mitchell NR, Bantle AE, Seaquist E, Reikes A, Pereira MA.
Publication name: Diabetes Care. 2025 Dec 10:dc251516. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc25-1516
Publication year: 2025

Abstract Objective: To test the effect of substituting plain water (the ideal standard) for habitual artificial sweetened beverage (ASB) intake by people with type 2 diabetes…

Author(s): Zare M, Zeinalabedini M, Ebrahimpour-Koujan S, Azadbakht L.
Publication name: Obes Rev. 2025 Jan 30:e13902. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13902
Publication year: 2025

Abstract Stevia is an intense, calorie-free sweetener that is frequently used to reduce energy intake; however, studies examining its effects on appetite and energy intake…

Author(s): Nolden AA, Makame J.
Publication name: Nutrients 2025, 17(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17010032
Publication year: 2025

Abstract Background/Objectives: Low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCSs) provide sweetness in food applications that are suggested to support consumers’ reduced consumption of caloric sweeteners and added…

Author(s): Scott CE, Stamataki N, Harrold JA, Raben A, Halford JCG.
Publication name: Nutr Bull. 2025 Apr 3. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbu.70006
Publication year: 2025

Abstract Sweeteners and sweetness enhancers (S&SEs) are ingredients used in foods and beverages to reduce sugar while providing the sweetness of sugar with little to…

Author(s): Mela DJ, Risso D.
Publication name: Br J Nutr. 2024;131(11):1934-1944 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114524000485
Publication year: 2024

Abstract It is widely believed that exposure to sweetened foods and beverages stimulates the liking and desire for sweetness. Here we provide an updated review…

Author(s): Gibbons C, Beaulieu K, Almiron-Roig E, Navas-Carretero S, Martínez JA, O'Hara B, O'Connor D, Nazare JA, Le Bail A, Rannou C, Hardman C, Wilton M, Kjølbæk L, Scott C, Moshoyiannis H, Raben A, Harrold JA, Halford JCG, Finlayson G.
Publication name: EBioMedicine. 2024 Apr;102:105005. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105005
Publication year: 2024

Abstract Background: Sweeteners and sweetness enhancers (S&SE) are used to replace energy yielding sugars and maintain sweet taste in a wide range of products, but controversy…

Author(s): Mohan V, Manasa VS, Abirami K, Unnikrishnan R, Gayathri R, Geetha G, RamyaBai M, Padmavathi S, Rajalakshmi M, Pradeepa R, Anjana RM, Krishnaswamy K, Sudha V.
Publication name: Diabetes Ther. 2024 Sep;15(9):2061-2077. doi: 10.1007/s13300-024-01622-6
Publication year: 2024

Abstract Introduction: Country-specific evidence-based research is crucial for understanding the role of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) in managing type 2 diabetes (T2D). The main aim of this…

Author(s): Higgins KA, Rawal R, Kramer M, Baer DJ, Yerke A, Klurfeld DM.
Publication name: Adv Nutr. 2024 Dec;15(12):100239. doi: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100239
Publication year: 2024

Abstract Background: Numerous systematic reviews (SR) and meta-analyses (MA) on low calorie sweeteners (LCS) have been published in recent years, concluding that LCS have beneficial, neutral,…

Author(s): Zare M, Zeinalabedini M, Ebrahimpour-Koujan S, Bellissimo N, Azadbakht L.
Publication name: Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2024 Jul;18(7):103092. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2024.103092
Publication year: 2024

Abstract Background: The study investigates substituting non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) for sugar to address health concerns related to excess sugar intake. It specifically examines how stevia affects…

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