ATLANTA (September 22, 2014) — The study published in Nature this week on artificial sweeteners goes against what we know as clinicians and what our patients tell us. The study tries to link low-calorie sweeteners with weight gain and ignores the extensive data that demonstrates that low calorie sweeteners help us limit our calorie intake and help control our weight.
In the two studies reporting on humans, one study relied on self-reported diet intake — not a reliable way to monitor diet intake. The second study was supervised and consisted of 7 volunteers who normally do not consume artificial sweeteners. The authors reported that ‘most individuals (4 out of 7) developed poorer glycaemic response’. The study of 7 individuals is too small for any reasonable study especially since no information about weight or prior diet was provided
I believe these findings go against the bulk of data showing that low calorie sweeteners help real people limit their weight while enjoying the foods they like.
Debra R Judelson MD, Scientific Advisor to the Calorie Control Council
Do you have questions about low-calorie sweeteners? Want to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle? You asked and we listened. Our resident Registered Dietitians answered the most popular questions about low-calorie sweeteners.
