Abstract
An agreed-upon measure of total dietary sweetness is lacking hindering assessments of population-level patterns and trends in dietary sweetness. This cross-sectional study used 24-h dietary recall data for 74,461 participants aged ≥ 2 y from nine cycles (2001–2018) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to evaluate trends in the sweetness of the diet in the United States (US). LCS-containing items were matched to a sugar-sweetened counterpart (e.g., diet cola–regular cola or sucralose sugar). The matched pair was used to estimate the sugar equivalents from LCS-sweetened foods or beverages to estimate dietary level sweetness, which was described as grams of approximate sugar equivalent (ASE) per day. Trends in ASE were estimated overall and by subgroup, and trends were further disaggregated by food or beverage category. Overall, LCS sources contributed about 10.5% of ASE. Total ASE declined from 152 g/d to 117 g/d from 2001–2002 to 2017–2018 (p-trend < 0.001), with comparable declines in children and adults. Declines in total ASE were predominantly driven by beverages (−36.7% from 2001–2002 to 2017–2018) and tabletop sweeteners (−23.8%), but not food (−1.5%). Observed trends were robust to sensitivity analyses incorporating random, systematic, and sensory trial informed estimates of sweetness and also an analysis excluding possible under-reporters of dietary energy. This practical approach and underlying data may help researchers to apply the technique to other dietary studies to further these questions.
Highlights
There is a clear, evidence-based global and national public health mandate to limit the consumption of free or added sugars in the diet
Consumption of total approximate sugar equivalent (ASE) was highest among the 30–39-y age group while consumption of total sugars was highest among the 10–19-y age group
Men had higher total ASE and total sugar values than women, but women had a higher proportion of their ASE from low- or no calorie sweeteners (LCS) sources
Summary
There is a clear, evidence-based global and national public health mandate to limit the consumption of free or added sugars in the diet. The scientific evidence to support guidance limiting the sweetness of the total diet is lacking These recommendations arise from the apprehension that human’s innate liking of sweetness (i.e., detected from the sugars naturally present in many foods or added to foods with or without calories) may predispose the development of unhealthy eating behaviors [6]. It is hypothesized that increased contact with sweet-tasting foods and beverages could condition palates to desire sweet, increasing liking for sweet taste, and increasing consumption of sweet foods, which may increase risk of developing obesity or metabolic dysfunction This hypothesis generally contends that consumer palates could acclimate to a lower level of sweetness if presented and reduce energy and sugar intakes, supporting weight management [6]. Research is needed to test these hypotheses related to the relationship between sweet taste and health
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
