Nonnutritive sweetener consumption in humans: effects on appetite and food intake and their putative mechanisms

Abstract

Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are ecologically novel chemosensory signaling compounds that influence ingestive processes and behavior. Only about 15% of the US population >2y/o ingest NNS, but the incidence is increasing. They hold the potential to moderate sugar and energy intake while maintaining diet palatability, but their use has increased in concert with BMI in the population. This association may be coincidental or causal where either mode of directionality is plausible. A critical review of the literature suggests the addition of NNS to non-energy yielding products may heighten appetite, but this is not observed under the more common condition where NNS is ingested in conjunction with other energy sources. Substitution of NNS for nutritive sweetener generally elicits incomplete energy compensation, but evidence of long-term efficacy for weight management is not available. The addition of NNS to diets poses no benefit for weight loss or reduced weight gain without energy restriction. There are long-standing and recent concerns that inclusion of NNS in the diet promotes energy intake and contributes to obesity. Most of the purported mechanisms by which this may occur are not supported by the available evidence, although some warrant further consideration. Resolution of this important issue will require long-term randomized controlled trials.

The role of low-calorie sweeteners in the prevention and management of overweight and obesity: evidence v. conjecture

“…Or, as suggested by Mattes and Popkin (36) , there might be overcompensation, resulting in an overall increase in energy intake.…”

Satiety scores and satiety hormone response after sucrose-sweetened soft drink compared with isocaloric semi-skimmed milk and with non-caloric soft drink: a controlled trial

“…Even though some results showed body weight reducing effects of ASSD compared with SSSD (Raben et al, 2002), increased consumption of ASSD has not had the expected moderating impact on the obesity epidemic (Fowler et al, 2008). Previous studies have suggested that ASSD may lead to increased hunger sensation due to the sweet taste unaccompanied by calories (Mattes and Popkin, 2009). However, others show variable effects of ASSD (Melanson et al, 1999) or were unable to associate ASSD consumption with increases in hunger or EI intake (Raben et al, 2002;Mattes and Popkin, 2009).…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that ASSD may lead to increased hunger sensation due to the sweet taste unaccompanied by calories (Mattes and Popkin, 2009). However, others show variable effects of ASSD (Melanson et al, 1999) or were unable to associate ASSD consumption with increases in hunger or EI intake (Raben et al, 2002;Mattes and Popkin, 2009). Thus, the impacts of ASSD on appetite are still unknown.…”

Comparative Effects of Stevia rebaudiana and Aspartame on hepato-renal function of diabetic rats: Biochemical and Histological Approaches

“…Replacing sugar with nonnutritive sweeteners can help in weight managing and blood glucose level control by providing sweet taste without calories (Abo Elnaga et al, 2016). In the past few decades, the intake of foods and beverages containing nonnutritive sweeteners has intensely increased (Mattes and Popkin, 2009). Aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester), is one of the most commonly used nonnutritive sweeteners, popular in more than 90 countries in about 6000 products (Magnuson et al, 2007).…”