Low calorie sweeteners (LCS) use and energy balance

Author(s): Peters JC and Beck J
Publication name: Physiol Behav. 2016 Apr 7. pii: S0031-9384(16)30111-1. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.03.024
Publication year: 2016

Abstract

For thirty years there has been a debate about whether low calorie sweeteners (LCS) provide a benefit for body weight management. Early studies showed that when consumed alone in a beverage appetite and food intake were increased. Some, observational longitudinal cohort studies reported an association between LCS usage and increasing BMI, suggesting that LCS may actually promote weight gain. In the ensuing decades numerous additional observational and experimental trials have been conducted with the experimental trials nearly uniformly showing a benefit for LCS, either in weight loss or weight gain prevention. The observational trials have been more inconsistent with two recent meta-analyses indicating either a small positive association between LCS usage and BMI (weighted group mean correlation, p=0.03) or an inverse association with body weight change (-1.35 kg, p=.004). Numerous potential mechanisms have been explored, mostly in animal models, in an attempt to explain this association but none have yet been proven in humans. It is also possible that the association between LCS and BMI increase in the observational studies may be due to reverse causality or residual confounding. Randomized controlled trials are consistent in showing a benefit of LCS which suggests that simple behavioral engagement by individuals attempting to control their weight is a sufficiently strong signal to overcome any potential mechanism that might act to promote energy intake and weight gain. Based on existing evidence, LCS can be a useful tool for people actively engaged in managing their body weight for weight loss and maintenance.

Summary

This review summarises the research around the role of low calorie sweeteners on weight management over the last three decades. Some observational studies have linked low calorie sweeteners (LCS) with weight gain. However, a wealth of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) show low calorie sweeteners can help in weight loss and maintenance. Reverse causality, engagement, intention and beliefs may explain different results observed between observational studies and clinical studies. The authors conclude that ‘Current evidence supports low calorie sweeteners as a useful tool to help manage body weight.

View full paper

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly necessary cookies

This option should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that each time you visit this site, you will have to enable or disable cookies again.

Third party cookies

This site uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site and the most popular pages.

Keeping this cookie enabled helps us improve our website.