Title:Non-nutritive Sweeteners: Weight Loss or Weight Gain?
Volume: 24
Issue: 7
Author(s): Sarah Khalil, Yara Haikal and Antoine Aoun*
Affiliation:
- Department of Nursing and Health Sciences, Notre Dame University-Louaize, 72 Zouk Mikael, Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon
- Department of Nutrition, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen, 76000, Rouen, France
- Department of Nutrition, Hôpital La Musse, 27180, Saint Sebastien de Morsent, Normandie, France
- INSERM U1073, UNIROUEN, Normandie University, 76000, Rouen, France
Keywords:
Non-nutritive sweeteners, obesity, weight, microbiota, adiposity, bladder cancer.
Abstract: The consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) is on the rise among different
populations. In parallel, the debate about their potential health benefits and risks remains inconclusive.
Numerous published studies elucidate the impact of NNS on general health, weight
control, and the risk of certain diseases. However, no definitive conclusions regarding the effect
of chronic NNS use on weight have been reached in humans. This review summarizes current
evidence related to the biological role of NNS and their subsequent effects on weight. The
mechanisms of action through which NNS impact weight are discussed, including their effect
on sweet taste receptors, cognition, metabolic and endocrine functions, intestinal microbiota,
and adiposity. Conflicting evidence is hindering the formulation of precise recommendations,
but the evidence opposing the use of NNS remains weak, and the ultimate impact on weight
largely relies on several other behavioral patterns.