Consumption Of Low-calorie Sweeteners Research Articles

Association between Low Calorie Sweetener Consumption Pattern, Anthropometric Indices, and Nutritional Status among Adults’ Males and Females in Calabar Municipality, Nigeria

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between low-calorie sweetener (LCS) consumption patterns, anthropometric indices, and nutritional status among adults and women in Calabar Municipality, Nigeria. Study Design; A cross-sectional Analytical design was conducted among 335 participants, selected by multistage sampling technique. Methodology: Dietary assessment using 24hrs recall, anthropometrics measures and socio-demographic characteristics data were collected using pretested questionnaire. The collected data were entered in to Microsoft Excel and exported to SPSS for further statistical analysis. Chi-square test at 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to quantify independent variables of nutritional indices. Using WHO-reference-2010, height, weight and BMI were measured Results: Over 40 products containing LCS were classified into five groups. Carbonated beverages were most consumed, while energy drinks were least consumed. Aspartame was the most commonly used LCS. Young single adults aged 20-35, mostly students, consumed LCS-containing products more frequently than other adults. The overall prevalence of LCS consumption was 58.1%, (moderate), with participants consuming an LCS containing beverage, at least three times a week at an estimated quantity of 1 liter. There was statistical significance (P=.05) differences in weight, waist circumference and hip circumference between men and women. The BMI for men and women were of 22.6 ± 0.9 and 21.0 ± 1.0 kg/m2, respectively. The BMI categories of the study participants were as follows; underweight (3.9%), normal weight (65.7) overweight (28.1) and obese (2.3%). The prevalence of abnormal waist-to-hip ratio was reported, with a significant (P=.05) association between LCS consumption and BMI. Bivariate analysis of LCS consumption and socio-demographic variables found significant association between variables such as gender, age, monthly income and educational level at P=.05. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age, income, and BMI as predictors of LCS intake. Conclusion: The study showed that the consumption pattern exists among the adults in terms of age category and gender. Consumption of LCS beverages was mostly moderate, on average around thrice per week and was influenced by demographic factors such as gender, age, and socioeconomic status.

Patterns and predictors of low-calorie sweetener consumption during pregnancy: findings from a national survey in Australia

Emerging evidence has indicated that perinatal exposure to low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) might be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and offspring health(1). The aim of the study was to examine the patterns and predictors of LCS consumption among pregnant women in Australia. A web-based survey was conducted among 422 pregnant women aged 18-50 years between September and October 2022. Participants were recruited by a reputable consumer panel provider, Qualtrics. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary intake (including LCS consumption), pregnancy-related characteristics, and participants’ awareness regarding the potential health effects of LCS were assessed. We assessed LCS consumption from twelve food groups that are common sources of LCS(2). To identify LCS consumption patterns and predictors of the patterns, a latent class analysis and hierarchical multinomial logistic regression was employed, respectively. The women’s mean (SD) age was 30 (4.6) years. Overall, 95% of the women reported consuming any LCS in the current pregnancy. Three different LCS consumption patterns were identified. Infrequent or non-consumers, representing 50% of the women, included those who rarely or never consumed LCS-containing foods and beverages (with a probability of less than 10%). The second pattern, moderate consumption, which encompassed 40% of the women, indicated low to moderate consumption of LCSs (for instance, the likelihood of consuming LCS-containing drinks ranged from 18% to 50%). The third pattern highlighted habitual consumption. These individuals (10%) had a high likelihood (ranging from 75% to 95%) of consuming foods from all food groups that contained LCS. The majority of women (71%) were unaware of the potential adverse effects of LCS, and only 25% expressed concerns about the potential impacts of LCS on their health and the health of their offspring. Moreover, women who frequently consumed sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) (≥2 times/week) or had gestational diabetes were over three times more likely to adopt a habitual LCS consumption pattern compared to those who consumed SSBs less often [adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) = 3.17, 95% CI: 1.39-7.21] and those without gestational diabetes [aRRR = 3.53, 95% CI: 1.03-12.10]. Additionally, having a medical condition was linked to a 55% lower chance of moderate LCS consumption compared to infrequent or non-consumption. These findings indicate LCS consumption is widespread, but awareness of its potential adverse health effect is low among pregnant women in Australia. Public health interventions to increase the awareness of potential adverse effect of LCS consumption, particularly among pregnant women with moderate and habitual consumption are warranted.

Abstract MP28: Declines in Plasma Levels of Nonnutritive Sweetener Erythritol Are Related to Two-Year Improvements in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Estimates Among Adults With Overweight and Obesity

Background: A potential adverse relationship between the consumption of low-calorie sweeteners and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been proposed. High levels of circulating erythritol, a sugar alcohol (polyol) used as one of the non-nutritive sweeteners, have been recently linked to increased risks of major adverse cardiovascular events. However, associations of temporal changes in plasma erythritol and other polyols with cardiometabolic risk remain unclear. Hypothesis: We tested whether changes in plasma levels of non-nutritive sweetener erythritol and other polyols in response to weight-loss dietary interventions were associated with improved atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimates and atherogenic lipoproteins among adults with overweight and obesity. Methods: This study included 804 adults (mean BMI: 32.7 [SD 3.9] kg/m 2 ) without diabetes or unstable CVD at baseline who participated in a 2-year intervention of weight-loss diets, the POUNDS Lost trial. Metabolomic profiling was performed to measure plasma erythritol and its precursor erythronate, other sugar alcohols, and low-calorie sweeteners at baseline and 6 months after randomization. The primary outcome was the change in 10-year ASCVD risk scores calculated by the validated pooled cohort equations. Two-year changes in lipid profiles and cholesterol [Chol] in lipoprotein subfractions defined by the presence or absence of apolipoprotein CIII (apoCIII) were analyzed as secondary outcomes. Results: The mean estimated value of the 10-year ASCVD risk was 4.0% at baseline; 16% of the participants were at intermediate or high ASCVD risk (score ≥7.5%). Higher levels of erythritol (per 1 SD increment: β 1.1% [SE 0.2%], p <.0001) and erythronate (β 1.3% [0.2%], p <.0001), as well as other sugar alcohols, such as mannitol-sorbitol, myoinositol, arabitol-xylitol ( p <.0001 for all), and low-calorie sweetener saccharin ( p = 0.02), but not acesulfame ( p =0.8), were related to a higher ASCVD risk at baseline after adjusting for BMI. There was large variability in the changes in metabolite levels across participants; greater decreases in erythritol in response to the interventions were significantly related to greater reductions in ASCVD risk estimates at 6 months (per 1 SD reduction: β -0.2% [SE 0.1%]; p =0.023) and at 2 years (β -0.3% [0.1%]; p = 0.015) after adjusting for covariates, including BMI, the initial metabolite levels, and baseline ASCVD risk. The 6-month decrease in erythritol was associated with long-term (2-year) improvements in atherogenic lipids, including Chol in VLDL+LDL with apoCIII ( p <0.05). Conclusions: Higher plasma levels of erythritol and other sugar alcohols were associated with greater 10-year ASCVD risk scores among adults with overweight and obesity. Weight-loss diet-induced decreases in erythritol levels were related to improved ASCVD risk and atherogenic lipid profiles.

Abstract MP48: Consumption of Low-Calorie Sweeteners Among Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers in the United States, NHANES 2013-2018

Introduction: Research has highlighted the rising consumption of low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) and their possible negative health implications. While the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against beverages with LCSs for children under 5y, little is known about current consumption patterns among infants and young children in the United States. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence, frequency, and top sources of LCS intake among U.S. infants and young children and to investigate associations between LCS consumption and energy and macronutrient intake. Methods: We used one 24-h dietary recall from 3117 children aged 0-5y in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-18 to describe the prevalence and their frequency of consuming foods and beverages containing LCSs. We also compared total energy and macronutrient intake as a proportion of total energy intake (TEI) between LCS consumers and non-consumers. Complex survey procedures and sample weights were applied for all analyses. F-tests were used to compare consumption estimates across sociodemographic subgroups. Results: Thirty percent of all U.S. children aged 0-5y consumed foods and/or beverages with LCSs, including 17.5% of infants (0-1y), 34.3% of toddlers (2 and 3y), and 34.5% of preschoolers (4 and 5y). Prevalence of LCS consumption tended to be highest among non-Hispanic Blacks children and those from households with higher educational attainment or a higher family income. Among consumers, mean frequency of any LCS product, LCS beverages (LCSBs) only, and LCS foods (LCSFs) only was 1.4, 1.4, and 1.1 times/day, respectively, and did not differ by age. The most consumed of all LCSBs were fruit drinks (71.9%) and the most consumed of all LCSFs was yogurt (not-Greek) (59.5%). Compared to non-consumers, LCS consumers had higher intake of total energy, 1516 vs. 1316 kcal/day (p<.0001), carbohydrates, 54.0% vs 52.4% TEI (p=.0005), and added sugar, 3.3% vs. 2.1% TEI (p<.0001) but significantly lower intake of total fat and saturated fat, 33.1% vs 34.9% TEI (p<.0001) and 12.0% vs 13.1% TEI (p<.0001), respectively. Conclusions: LCS consumption is prevalent among infants and young children in the U.S. and fruit drinks and yogurt are the main sources. These results highlight the need for further research to understand long-term implications of this consumption. Funding sources: None.

Patterns and Predictors of Low-Calorie Sweetener Consumption during Pregnancy: Findings from a National Survey.

Recently, the World Health Organization recommended avoiding low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) during pregnancy due to concerns that it may be linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes and offspring wellbeing. This study examined the patterns and predictors of LCS consumption among pregnant women in Australia. A survey was conducted among 422 pregnant women aged 18-50 years. Sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary intake including LCS consumption, pregnancy-related characteristics, and awareness about the health effects of LCS were assessed. We used latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression to identify LCS consumption patterns and predictors of consumption patterns, respectively. The mean (SD) age of the women was 30 (4.6) years. Three LCS consumption patterns were identified: infrequent or non-consumers representing 50% of the women, moderate consumers encompassing 40% of the women, and the remaining were habitual consumers. Over two-thirds (71%) of women were not aware of the potential adverse effects of LCS, and only a quarter of them were concerned about the possible adverse effects on their health and their offspring. Increasing age and living with a medical condition decreased the likelihood of moderate consumption by 7% and 55%, respectively. Frequent sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and gestational diabetes predicted habitual LCS consumption. This research suggested widespread LCS consumption among pregnant women in Australia, but lower awareness of its potential adverse health effects. Interventions to increase awareness of potential adverse effects are warranted.

P31-025-23 An Overview of Reviews on the Association of Low Calorie Sweetener Consumption With Body Weight and Adiposity

P31-025-23 An Overview of Reviews on the Association of Low Calorie Sweetener Consumption With Body Weight and Adiposity

Maternal low-calorie sweetener consumption rewires hypothalamic melanocortin circuits via a gut microbial co-metabolite pathway.

The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes is growing at an alarming rate, including among pregnant women. Low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) have increasingly been used as an alternative to sugar to deliver a sweet taste without the excessive caloric load. However, there is little evidence regarding their biological effects, particularly during development. Here, we used a mouse model of maternal LCS consumption to explore the impact of perinatal LCS exposure on the development of neural systems involved in metabolic regulation. We report that adult male, but not female, offspring from both aspartame- and rebaudioside A-exposed dams displayed increased adiposity and developed glucose intolerance. Moreover, maternal LCS consumption reorganized hypothalamic melanocortin circuits and disrupted parasympathetic innervation of pancreatic islets in male offspring. We then identified phenylacetylglycine (PAG) as a unique metabolite that was upregulated in the milk of LCS-fed dams and the serum of their pups. Furthermore, maternal PAG treatment recapitulated some of the key metabolic and neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with maternal LCS consumption. Together, our data indicate that maternal LCS consumption has enduring consequences on the offspring's metabolism and neural development and that these effects are likely to be mediated through the gut microbial co-metabolite PAG.

Early-life influences of low-calorie sweetener consumption on sugar taste

Children and adolescents are the highest consumers of added sugars, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). Regular consumption of SSB early in life induces a variety of negative consequences on health that can last into adulthood. Low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) are increasingly used as an alternative to added sugars because they provide a sweet sensation without adding calories to the diet. However, the long-term effects of early-life consumption of LCS are not well understood. Considering LCS engage at least one of the same taste receptors as sugars and potentially modulate cellular mechanisms of glucose transport and metabolism, it is especially important to understand how early-life LCS consumption impacts intake of and regulatory responses to caloric sugars. In our recent study, we found that habitual intake of LCS during the juvenile-adolescence period significantly changed how rats responded to sugar later in life. Here, we review evidence that LCS and sugars are sensed via common and distinct gustatory pathways, and then discuss the implications this has for shaping sugar-associated appetitive, consummatory, and physiological responses. Ultimately, the review highlights the diverse gaps in knowledge that will be necessary to fill to understand the consequences of regular LCS consumption during important phases of development.

Early-life low-calorie sweetener consumption disrupts glucose regulation, sugar-motivated behavior, and memory function in rats

Early-life low-calorie sweetener consumption disrupts glucose regulation, sugar-motivated behavior, and memory function in rats

Early Life Low-Calorie Sweetener Consumption Impacts Energy Balance during Adulthood.

Children frequently consume beverages that are either sweetened with sugars (sugar-sweetened beverages; SSB) or low-calorie sweeteners (LCS). Here, we evaluated the effects of habitual early life consumption of either SSB or LCS on energy balance later during adulthood. Male and female rats were provided with chow, water, and a solution containing either SSB (sucrose), LCS (acesulfame potassium (ACE-K) or stevia), or control (no solution) during the juvenile and adolescent periods (postnatal days 26-70). SSB or LCS consumption was voluntary and restricted within the recommended federal daily limits. When subsequently maintained on a cafeteria-style junk food diet (CAF; various high-fat, high-sugar foods) during adulthood, ACE-K-exposed rats demonstrated reduced caloric consumption vs. the controls, which contributed to lower body weights in female, but not male, ACE-K rats. These discrepant intakes and body weight effects in male ACE-K rats are likely to be based on reduced gene expression of thermogenic indicators (UCP1, BMP8B) in brown adipose tissue. Female stevia-exposed rats did not differ from the controls in terms of caloric intake or body weight, yet they consumed more SSB during CAF exposure in adulthood. None of the SSB-exposed rats, neither male nor female, differed from the controls in terms of total adult caloric consumption or body weight measures. The collective results reveal that early life LCS consumption alters sugar preference, body weight, and gene expression for markers of thermogenesis during adulthood, with both sex- and sweetener-dependent effects.

Early-life low-calorie sweetener consumption disrupts glucose regulation, sugar-motivated behavior, and memory function in rats.

Low-calorie sweetener (LCS) consumption in children has increased dramatically due to its widespread presence in the food environment and efforts to mitigate obesity through sugar replacement. However, mechanistic studies on the long-term impact of early-life LCS consumption on cognitive function and physiological processes are lacking. Here, we developed a rodent model to evaluate the effects of daily LCS consumption (acesulfame potassium, saccharin, or stevia) during adolescence on adult metabolic, behavioral, gut microbiome, and brain transcriptomic outcomes. Results reveal that habitual early-life LCS consumption impacts normal postoral glucose handling and impairs hippocampal-dependent memory in the absence of weight gain. Furthermore, adolescent LCS consumption yielded long-term reductions in lingual sweet taste receptor expression and brought about alterations in sugar-motivated appetitive and consummatory responses. While early-life LCS consumption did not produce robust changes in the gut microbiome, brain region-specific RNA-Seq analyses reveal LCS-induced changes in collagen- and synaptic signaling-related gene pathways in the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens, respectively, in a sex-dependent manner. Collectively, these results reveal that habitual early-life LCS consumption has long-lasting implications for glucoregulation, sugar-motivated behavior, and hippocampal-dependent memory in rats, which may be based in part on changes in nutrient transporter, sweet taste receptor, and central gene pathway expression.

Consumption of low-calorie sweeteners: findings from the Campinas Nutrition and Health Survey.

We used data from the Campinas Health Survey (ISACamp 2014/15) and the Food Consumption and Nutritional Status Survey (ISACamp-Nutri 2015/16) to estimate the prevalence of the consumption of foods and beverages that contain low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) by individuals ≥ 10 years to estimate the dietary exposure of the population to high levels of LCS. We first estimated the prevalence of consuming LCS-containing foods and beverages and identified the top sources of LCS consumption. We then verified whether the prevalence of consumption varied according to individual-level characteristics or the presence of obesity and diabetes. Finally, we estimated the population dietary exposure to high levels of LCS and compared it with the acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels. Over 40 % of the study population consumed at least one LCS-containing food or beverage. Sweetened beverages, tabletop sweeteners and dairy beverages were the top contributors to the consumption of LCS. Among all age groups, education levels, and income levels, the consumption of LCS-containing foods and beverages ranged from 35 % to 55 %. The prevalence was only slightly greater among higher income 40-59-year-olds than among other income groups and was not higher among individuals with obesity or diabetes. Although dietary exposure to LCS did not exceed the ADI levels, we identified several limitations in our ability to measure exposure to high levels of LCS. Because of these challenges and the unclear evidence linking LCS to better health outcomes, the consumption of LCS-containing foods and beverages should be closely monitored.

Longitudinal Analysis of Sucralose at a Water Treatment Wetland

Sales of low-calorie sweeteners are increasing in the Unites States, with sucralose representing the second largest of the U.S. market share. Since >99% of ingested sucralose is excreted as the parent compound, it represents a contaminant of emerging concern and has been proposed as an indicator of pollution of natural waters by anthropogenic waste. Many report that it is increasingly omnipresent in surface, coastal, and drinking water. Given the increasing consumption of low-calorie sweeteners, changes in influent and effluent sucralose concentrations presage their concentrations in natural waters. The aim of this research was to quantify sucralose at a constructed treatment wetland that was designed to remove nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from secondary treated wastewater. We report the concentrations of sucralose in the surface water, sediment, and porewater throughout the flow train of the wetlands over a period of three years and include surface water sampling following an extreme weather event. The average influent surface water concentration of sucralose was 24 ± 2 ppb, and the average outfall concentration was 20 ± 6 ppb, indicating the sucralose is not subjected to chemical or physical adsorption in the sediment within the wetland.

Dietary exposure to low-calorie sweeteners in a sample of Brazilian pregnant women

The dietary exposure to low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) was estimated in a sample of pregnant Brazilian women. Consumption data were obtained with a 24-h Dietary Recall interview. Because of the uncertainty in assessing foods with LCS, they were classified into three scenarios to ensure inclusion of the 15 LCS allowed for use in Brazil: ranging from a less to a more conservative scenario. The concentration of LCS was estimated using the amount declared on the label or the maximum permitted levels and analytical determination data for table-top sweeteners. The frequency of consumption was higher for acesulfame-K, aspartame, and cyclamate. The food groups contributing the most to the consumption of LCS were non-alcoholic beverages, table-top sweeteners, confectionary and desserts. The level of dietary exposure to LCS was within the safety limit. However, continued efforts to monitor their dietary exposure are necessary given the limitations highlighted in this study.

Trends and amounts of consumption of low-calorie sweeteners: A cross-sectional study.

White sugar has been blamed to cause health consequences including diabetes and obesity. With the increased need to decrease sugar intake, attention was shifted towards sugar alternatives also known as low-calorie sweeteners. Low-calorie sweeteners are ubiquitous within food products, but their consumption among Lebanese adults isn't well elucidated. Our study aims to investigate the trends and amounts of low-calorie sweeteners' consumption in addition to their main sources among a sample of Lebanese adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted over 384 adult Lebanese individuals from both genders residing in Beirut and Mount-Lebanon from February to August 2020. After excluding eight individuals, 376 completed the survey. To assess the trends, frequency and quantity of low-calorie sweeteners' consumption, a questionnaire was filled by trained and licensed dietitians in addition to a previously validated food frequency questionnaire adapted to the most widely known products in the Lebanese market. Food products were divided into categories, amount of sweeteners in each item was obtained from the label, and analysis was performed according to the type of sweetener they are made of. Frequencies were converted into numbers of servings per day and multiplied by the standard portion size. Daily individual consumption of each sweetener apart was obtained by multiplying the amount of sweetener in each item consumed by total daily consumption. The amount in mg/kg was obtained by dividing total consumption of each sweetener apart by the mean weight of our population. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data entry and analysis. Results showed that 94.4% were consuming an artificially-sweetened item at least once in the last six months. While weight loss and healthy lifestyle constituted the main reasons for past and current consumption respectively, safety and unpleasant taste affected consumption trends. Pills and powders' consumption was significantly associated with gender (p=0.032) and dieting (p=0.000) but not with age (p=0.831), educational level (p=0.294), living district (p=0.421) or income (p=0.828) where women and dieters used significantly more pills and powders than their counterparts. "Food and beverages" consumption was independent of all factors except age (p=0.001); it peaked at 26-40 and declined thereafter. Consumption of low-calorie sweeteners came mainly from beverages and was as follows while remaining within the acceptable daily intake limits: aspartame: 98.9mg/d (1.38mg/kg/d); sucralose: 22.19mg/d (0.31mg/kg/d); acesulfame-K: 39.12mg/d (0.55mg/kg/d); stevia 3.28mg/d (0.05mg/kg/d). Food and beverages were consumed more than pills and powders due to unintentional consumption. Despite that safety and unpleasant taste affected consumption of low-calorie sweetened products, intake of such products was found to be highly prevalent in the studied population. While remaining within the acceptable daily intake limits, consumption of food and beverages exceeded that of pills and powders due to unintentional consumption making awareness a necessity to help consumers make an informed decision. Moreover, a nation-level study is needed to generalize the results.

Consumption of low-calorie sweeteners is associated with ‘sweet satiation’ (sensory-specific satiety) but not ‘sweet-taste confusion’

Consumption of low-calorie sweeteners is associated with ‘sweet satiation’ (sensory-specific satiety) but not ‘sweet-taste confusion’

1247Low-calorie sweeteners consumption: a population-based study from Campinas, Brazil

Abstract Background The addition of low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) has been increasingly used by industry but their metabolic effects are controversial. Objectives: to estimate the consumption of foods and beverages with LCS among adolescents, adults and the elderly and to verify which food categories most contribute to this consumption. Methods Cross-sectional study. We used data from the Campinas Health Survey (ISACamp 2014-15) and the Food Consumption and Nutritional Status Survey (ISACamp-Nutri 2015-16) of 2570 individuals from 10 years old. We estimated the prevalence of LCS consumption and described the food categories that most contributed to this consumption. Using regression analysis, we verified which population groups had the highest consumption of products with LCS. Results More than 40% of adolescents, adults and the elderly consumed at least one product with LCS, mainly coming from sweetened beverages, tabletop sweeteners, and yogurt and other dairy beverages. The consumption of LCS was evenly found across adolescents and elderly from all socioeconomic strata, and whether elderly participants presented overweight and/or diabetes. Among adults, greater prevalence of foods and beverages with LCS consumption was found in those with higher education but did not vary by the presence of overweight and/or diabetes. Conclusions We found similar consumption of foods and beverages with LCS in most socioeconomic strata, and in participants with and without overweight or diabetes. Key messages The results can contribute to the development of public policies on clearer information of LCS addition in food labels.

Disruption of lateral hypothalamic calorie detection by a free choice high fat diet.

During the last few decades, the consumption of low-calorie sweeteners, as a substitute for caloric sweeteners, has sharply increased. Although research shows that caloric versus low-calorie sweeteners can have differential effects on the brain, it is unknown which neuronal populations are responsible for detecting the difference between the two types of sweeteners. Using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, we investigated how drinking sucrose or sucralose (a low-calorie sweetener) affects the activity of glutamatergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus. Furthermore, we explored the consequences of consuming a free-choice high fat diet on the calorie detection abilities of these glutamatergic neurons. We found that glutamatergic neurons indeed can discriminate sucrose from water and sucralose, and that consumption of a free-choice high fat diet shifts the glutamatergic neuronal response from sucrose-specific to sucralose-specific, thereby disrupting calorie detection. These results highlight the disruptive effects of a diet high in saturated fat on calorie detection in the lateral hypothalamus.

The consumption of low-calorie sweetener containing foods during pregnancy: results from the ROLO study

Background/objectivesWomen with gestational diabetes (GDM) are advised to adapt a low glycaemic index (GI) diet, which may impact consumption of low-calorie sweeteners (LCS). LCS are increasingly popular as they add sweetness without contributing calories. This study aims to investigate the reported intakes of LCS-containing foods in women during pregnancy.Subjects/methodsPregnant women recruited for the ROLO study were included in this analysis (n = 571). Women were randomised to receive either an intervention of low-GI dietary advice or usual antenatal care. Women completed a 3-day food diary in each trimester. Nine LCS-containing food groups were identified, and the quantity (g/day) consumed was calculated.ResultsOne-third of all pregnant women consumed LCS across each trimester of pregnancy. Of those in the intervention group who were LCS consumers in trimester 1, 71.6% were consumers in trimester 2, and 54.1% remained consumers in trimester 3. In the control group, less women remained consumers in trimester 2 and 3 at 58.1% and 41.9%, respectively. In trimester 2, following the dietary intervention, the proportion of LCS consumers in the intervention group was significantly higher than the proportion of consumers who were in the control group (p < 0.001). The most commonly consumed food groups were low-calorie fruit drinks, diet-cola drinks, and low-calorie yoghurts.ConclusionsOne-third of pregnant women consumed LCS. The proportion of LCS consumers increased in the intervention group compared to the control group. Further research is needed to determine exposure levels to individual LCS, and the effect of prenatal exposure to LCS on maternal and child health outcomes.

Use of acceptable daily intake (ADI) as a health-based benchmark in nutrition research studies that consider the safety of low-calorie sweeteners (LCS): a systematic map

BackgroundIt is well-recognized that consumers face many challenges in understanding and applying nutritional guidance for low-calorie sweeteners (LCS). Thus, this research aims to (1) assess how benchmarks for safe levels of consumption of LCS are utilized by researchers, and (2) understand how varying use of such benchmarks may contribute to challenges in understanding and applying nutritional guidance for LCS consumption.MethodsA systematic mapping exercise was employed to characterize when and how acceptable daily intake (ADI) values are used as health-based benchmarks in nutrition research studies that consider the safety of LCS.ResultsBased on results from charting 121 studies, our findings demonstrate that comparisons of LCS intake to an ADI derived by an authoritative body have been made in a diverse set of published literature, varying widely in their objectives, approaches, and populations of interest. The majority of studies compared the ADI to intake in a population under study; these represent the type of comparison that is most consistent with the intent of the ADI. Other applications of the ADI included use as a benchmark in experimental studies, risk-benefit analyses, and metabolism studies.ConclusionAlthough most instances of ADI use were reasonable within the context of the individual studies’ objectives, the diversity in use by original-study authors amplifies the continued need for development of “best practices” regarding the use and interpretation of the ADIs in current research. Using comparisons to the ADI can be a helpful way to provide context to research findings. However, in doing so, it is important that researchers utilize the value in a manner specific with its intent, as the ADI is a metric that represents an estimate of the amount of a substance that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without presenting an appreciable risk to health.