Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1871-5303
ISSN (Online): 2212-3873

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Journal Insight Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe
Review Article

Non-nutritive Sweeteners: Weight Loss or Weight Gain?

Author(s): Sarah Khalil, Yara Haikal and Antoine Aoun*

Volume 24, Issue 7, 2024

Published on: 10 October, 2023

Page: [749 - 757] Pages: 9

DOI: 10.2174/0118715303245646230926054352

Price: $65

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.

Keywords: Non-nutritive sweeteners, obesity, weight, microbiota, adiposity, bladder cancer.

« Previous Next »
Graphical Abstract

[1]
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food Additives and Petitions., Available from: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/additional-information-about-high-intensity-sweeteners-permitteduse-food-united-states
[2]
Green, C.H.; Syn, W.K. Non-nutritive sweeteners and their association with the metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A review of the literature. Eur. J. Nutr., 2019, 58(5), 1785-1800.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-01996-5 ] [PMID: 31119399]
[3]
Grech, A.; Kam, C.; Gemming, L.; Rangan, A. Diet-quality and socio-demographic factors associated with non-nutritive sweetener use in the australian population. Nutrients, 2018, 10(7), 833.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu10070833 ] [PMID: 29954097]
[4]
Hedrick, V.; Passaro, E.; Davy, B.; You, W.; Zoellner, J. Characterization of non-nutritive sweetener intake in rural southwest virginian adults living in a health-disparate region. Nutrients, 2017, 9(7), 757.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu9070757 ] [PMID: 28708096]
[5]
Drewnowski, A.; Rehm, C.D. The use of low-calorie sweeteners is associated with self-reported prior intent to lose weight in a representative sample of US adults. Nutr. Diabetes, 2016, 6(3), e202.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nutd.2016.9 ] [PMID: 26950483]
[6]
Wilson, T.; Murray, B.; Price, T.; Atherton, D.; Hooks, T. Non-nutritive (Artificial) sweetener knowledge among university students. Nutrients, 2019, 11(9), 2201.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu11092201 ] [PMID: 31547360]
[7]
GRAS Notice Inventory. Available from: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/NoticeInventory/default.htm
[8]
National Center for Biotechnology Information. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Acesulfame-potassium
[9]
Advantame. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Advantame
[10]
Aspartame. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Aspartame
[11]
Neotame. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Neotame
[12]
Saccharin. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Saccharin
[13]
Stevioside. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Stevioside
[14]
Sucralose. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sucralose
[15]
Grembecka, M. Sugar alcohols-their role in the modern world of sweeteners: A review. Eur. Food Res. Technol., 2015, 241(1), 1-14.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00217-015-2437-7]
[16]
Burke, M.V.; Small, D.M. Physiological mechanisms by which non-nutritive sweeteners may impact body weight and metabolism. Physiol. Behav., 2015, 152(Pt B), 381-388.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.05.036]
[17]
Peters, J.C.; Beck, J. Low calorie sweetener (LCS) use and energy balance. Physiol. Behav., 2016, 164(Pt B), 524-528.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.03.024]
[18]
Liauchonak, I.; Qorri, B.; Dawoud, F.; Riat, Y.; Szewczuk, M.R. Non-nutritive sweeteners and their implications on the development of metabolic syndrome. Nutrients, 2019, 11(3), 644.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu11030644]
[19]
Wilk, K.; Korytek, W. Pelczyńska, M.; Moszak, M.; Bogdański, P. The effect of artificial sweeteners use on sweet taste perception and weight loss efficacy: A review. Nutrients, 2022, 14(6), 1261.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu14061261 ] [PMID: 35334918]
[20]
Bellisle, F. Intense sweeteners, appetite for the sweet taste, and relationship to weight management. Curr. Obes. Rep., 2015, 4(1), 106-110.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13679-014-0133-8 ] [PMID: 26005598]
[21]
Foletto, K.C.; Melo, B.B.A.; Neves, A.M.; de Matos, F.F.; Ballard, C.R.; Marques, R.M.F.; Bertoluci, M.C. Sweet taste of saccharin induces weight gain without increasing caloric intake, not related to insulin-resistance in Wistar rats. Appetite, 2016, 96, 604-610.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.11.003 ] [PMID: 26555482]
[22]
Sylvetsky, A.C.; Rother, K.I. Nonnutritive sweeteners in weight management and chronic disease. Obesity, 2018, 26(4), 635-640.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/oby.22139 ] [PMID: 29570245]
[23]
Romo-Romo, A.; Aguilar-Salinas, C.A.; Brito-Córdova, G.X.; Gómez, D.R.A.; Vilchis, V.D.; Almeda-Valdes, P. Effects of the non-nutritive sweeteners on glucose metabolism and appetite regulating hormones: Systematic review of observational prospective studies and clinical trials. PLoS One, 2016, 11(8), e0161264.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0161264 ] [PMID: 27537496]
[24]
Kim, Y.; Keogh, J.B.; Clifton, P.M. Non-nutritive sweeteners and glycaemic control. Curr. Atheroscler. Rep., 2019, 21(12), 49.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11883-019-0814-6 ] [PMID: 31741078]
[25]
Nettleton, J.E.; Reimer, R.A.; Shearer, J. Reshaping the gut microbiota: Impact of low calorie sweeteners and the link to insulin resistance? Physiol Behav., 2016, 164(Pt B), 488-493.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.04.029]
[26]
Suez, J.; Korem, T.; Zeevi, D.; Zilberman-Schapira, G.; Thaiss, C.A.; Maza, O.; Israeli, D.; Zmora, N.; Gilad, S.; Weinberger, A.; Kuperman, Y.; Harmelin, A.; Kolodkin-Gal, I.; Shapiro, H.; Halpern, Z.; Segal, E.; Elinav, E. Artificial sweeteners induce glucose intolerance by altering the gut microbiota. Nature, 2014, 514(7521), 181-186.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature13793 ] [PMID: 25231862]
[27]
Parlee, S.D.; Simon, B.R.; Scheller, E.L.; Alejandro, E.U.; Learman, B.S.; Krishnan, V.; Bernal-Mizrachi, E.; MacDougald, O.A. Administration of saccharin to neonatal mice influences body composition of adult males and reduces body weight of females. Endocrinology, 2014, 155(4), 1313-1326.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1210/en.2013-1995 ] [PMID: 24456165]
[28]
Laverty, A.A.; Magee, L.; Monteiro, C.A.; Saxena, S.; Millett, C. Sugar and artificially sweetened beverage consumption and adiposity changes: National longitudinal study. Int. J. Behav. Nutr. Phys. Act., 2015, 12(1), 137.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12966-015-0297-y ] [PMID: 26503493]
[29]
Ma, J.; Fox, C.S.; Jacques, P.F.; Speliotes, E.K.; Hoffmann, U.; Smith, C.E.; Saltzman, E.; McKeown, N.M. Sugar-sweetened beverage, diet soda, and fatty liver disease in the Framingham Heart Study cohorts. J. Hepatol., 2015, 63(2), 462-469.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2015.03.032 ] [PMID: 26055949]
[30]
Miller, P.E.; Perez, V. Low-calorie sweeteners and body weight and composition: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. Am. J. Clin. Nutr., 2014, 100(3), 765-777.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.113.082826 ] [PMID: 24944060]
[31]
Rogers, P.J.; Hogenkamp, P.S.; de Graaf, C.; Higgs, S.; Lluch, A.; Ness, A.R.; Penfold, C.; Perry, R.; Putz, P.; Yeomans, M.R.; Mela, D.J. Does low-energy sweetener consumption affect energy intake and body weight? A systematic review, including meta-analyses, of the evidence from human and animal studies. Int. J. Obes., 2016, 40(3), 381-394.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2015.177 ] [PMID: 26365102]
[32]
Crézé, C.; Candal, L.; Cros, J.; Knebel, J.F.; Seyssel, K.; Stefanoni, N.; Schneiter, P.; Murray, M.; Tappy, L.; Toepel, U. The impact of caloric and non-caloric sweeteners on food intake and brain responses to food: A randomized crossover controlled trial in healthy humans. Nutrients, 2018, 10(5), 615.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu10050615 ] [PMID: 29762471]
[33]
Madjd, A.; Taylor, M.A.; Delavari, A.; Malekzadeh, R.; Macdonald, I.A.; Farshchi, H.R. Beneficial effects of replacing diet beverages with water on type 2 diabetic obese women following a hypo-energetic diet: A randomized, 24-week clinical trial. Diabetes Obes. Metab., 2017, 19(1), 125-132.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dom.12793 ] [PMID: 27748014]
[34]
Peters, J.C.; Wyatt, H.R.; Foster, G.D.; Pan, Z.; Wojtanowski, A.C.; Vander Veur, S.S.; Herring, S.J.; Brill, C.; Hill, J.O. The effects of water and non-nutritive sweetened beverages on weight loss during a 12-week weight loss treatment program. Obesity, 2014, 22(6), 1415-1421.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/oby.20737 ] [PMID: 24862170]
[35]
Peters, J.C.; Beck, J.; Cardel, M.; Wyatt, H.R.; Foster, G.D.; Pan, Z.; Wojtanowski, A.C.; Veur, S.S.; Herring, S.J.; Brill, C.; Hill, J.O. The effects of water and non-nutritive sweetened beverages on weight loss and weight maintenance: A randomized clinical trial. Obesity, 2016, 24(2), 297-304.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/oby.21327 ] [PMID: 26708700]
[36]
Rogers, P.J.; Appleton, K.M. The effects of low-calorie sweeteners on energy intake and body weight: A systematic review and meta-analyses of sustained intervention studies. Int. J. Obes., 2021, 45(3), 464-478.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41366-020-00704-2 ] [PMID: 33168917]
[37]
Cavagnari, B.M. Non-caloric sweeteners and body weight. Medicina, 2019, 79(2), 115-122.
[PMID: 31048277]
[38]
Anton, S.D. Can non-nutritive sweeteners enhance outcomes of weight loss interventions? Obesity, 2014, 22(6), 1413-1414.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/oby.20779 ] [PMID: 24862169]
[39]
Ramos-García, M.; Ble-Castillo, J.L.; García-Vázquez, C.; Tovilla-Zárate, C.A.; Juárez-Rojop, I.E.; Olvera-Hernández, V.; Genis-Mendoza, A.D.; Córdova-Uscanga, R.; Álvarez-González, C.A.; Díaz-Zagoya, J.C. Effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on energy intake, body weight and postprandial glycemia in healthy and with altered glycemic response rats. Foods, 2021, 10(5), 958.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/foods10050958 ] [PMID: 33924861]
[40]
Gombi-Vaca, M.F.; Sichieri, R. Verly-, E., Jr Caloric compensation for sugar-sweetened beverages in meals: A population-based study in Brazil. Appetite, 2016, 98, 67-73.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.12.014 ] [PMID: 26708263]
[41]
Lohner, S.; Toews, I.; Meerpohl, J.J. Health outcomes of non-nutritive sweeteners: Analysis of the research landscape. Nutr. J., 2017, 16(1), 55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12937-017-0278-x ] [PMID: 28886707]
[42]
Fei, L.Y. The impact of non-nutritive sweeteners on blood pressure control: A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2021. Available from: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/194123
[43]
Stanhope, K.L.; Goran, M.I.; Bosy-Westphal, A.; King, J.C.; Schmidt, L.A.; Schwarz, J.M.; Stice, E.; Sylvetsky, A.C.; Turnbaugh, P.J.; Bray, G.A.; Gardner, C.D.; Havel, P.J.; Malik, V.; Mason, A.E.; Ravussin, E.; Rosenbaum, M.; Welsh, J.A.; Allister-Price, C.; Sigala, D.M.; Greenwood, M.R.C.; Astrup, A.; Krauss, R.M. Pathways and mechanisms linking dietary components to cardiometabolic disease: Thinking beyond calories. Obes. Rev., 2018, 19(9), 1205-1235.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/obr.12699 ] [PMID: 29761610]
[44]
Imamura, F.; O’Connor, L.; Ye, Z.; Mursu, J.; Hayashino, Y.; Bhupathiraju, S.N.; Forouhi, N.G. Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, artificially sweetened beverages, and fruit juice and incidence of type 2 diabetes: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and estimation of population attributable fraction. BMJ, 2015, 351, h3576.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3576 ] [PMID: 26199070]
[45]
Andrade, L.; Lee, K.M.; Sylvetsky, A.C.; Kirkpatrick, S.I. Low-calorie sweeteners and human health: A rapid review of systematic reviews. Nutr. Rev., 2021, 79(10), 1145-1164.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaa123 ] [PMID: 33236063]
[46]
Nadolsky, K.Z. COUNTERPOINT: Artificial sweeteners for obesity-better than sugary alternatives; potentially a solution. Endocr. Pract., 2021, 27(10), 1056-1061.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eprac.2021.06.013 ] [PMID: 34481971]
[47]
Liu, L.; Zhang, P.; Wang, Y.; Cui, W.; Li, D. The relationship between the use of artificial sweeteners and cancer: A meta-analysis of case–control studies. Food Sci. Nutr., 2021, 9(8), 4589-4597.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2395 ] [PMID: 34401106]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
22
2
Wayfinder Image
World Diabetes Day
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy