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Teysseire F, Bordier V, Beglinger C, Wölnerhanssen BK, Meyer-Gerspach AC. Metabolic Effects of Selected Conventional and Alternative Sweeteners: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2024; 16:622. [PMID: 38474749 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sugar consumption is known to be associated with a whole range of adverse health effects, including overweight status and type II diabetes mellitus. In 2015, the World Health Organization issued a guideline recommending the reduction of sugar intake. In this context, alternative sweeteners have gained interest as sugar substitutes to achieve this goal without loss of the sweet taste. This review aims to provide an overview of the scientific literature and establish a reference tool for selected conventional sweeteners (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) and alternative sweeteners (sucralose, xylitol, erythritol, and D-allulose), specifically focusing on their important metabolic effects. The results show that alternative sweeteners constitute a diverse group, and each substance exhibits one or more metabolic effects. Therefore, no sweetener can be considered to be inert. Additionally, xylitol, erythritol, and D-allulose seem promising as alternative sweeteners due to favorable metabolic outcomes. These alternative sweeteners replicate the benefits of sugars (e.g., sweetness and gastrointestinal hormone release) while circumventing the detrimental effects of these substances on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Teysseire
- St. Clara Research Ltd. at St. Claraspital, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Valentine Bordier
- St. Clara Research Ltd. at St. Claraspital, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Bettina K Wölnerhanssen
- St. Clara Research Ltd. at St. Claraspital, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Christin Meyer-Gerspach
- St. Clara Research Ltd. at St. Claraspital, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
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Singh G, McBain AJ, McLaughlin JT, Stamataki NS. Consumption of the Non-Nutritive Sweetener Stevia for 12 Weeks Does Not Alter the Composition of the Human Gut Microbiota. Nutrients 2024; 16:296. [PMID: 38257188 PMCID: PMC10821022 DOI: 10.3390/nu16020296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) as an alternative to caloric sugars has increased in recent years. Stevia is an NNS that has demonstrated beneficial effects on appetite and energy intake. However, the impact on the gut microbiota is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated how regular consumption of stevia, for up to 12 weeks, impacts the human gut microbiota. Healthy subjects with a normal body mass index participated in our study; the stevia group (n = 14) was asked to consume five drops of stevia twice daily, compared to control participants (n = 13). Faecal samples collected before and after treatment were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Stevia did not cause significant changes in the alpha or beta diversity when compared to the control groups. When the relative abundances of taxa were investigated, no clear differences were detected. Conversely, a random forest analysis correctly associated the gut microbiome with the control and stevia groups with an average of 75% accuracy, suggesting that there are intrinsic patterns that could discriminate between control and stevia use. However, large-scale changes in the gut microbiota were not apparent in this study, and, therefore, our data suggest that stevia does not significantly impact the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurdeep Singh
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (G.S.); (A.J.M.)
| | - Andrew J. McBain
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; (G.S.); (A.J.M.)
| | - John T. McLaughlin
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Nikoleta S. Stamataki
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
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Valicente VM, Peng CH, Pacheco KN, Lin L, Kielb EI, Dawoodani E, Abdollahi A, Mattes RD. Ultraprocessed Foods and Obesity Risk: A Critical Review of Reported Mechanisms. Adv Nutr 2023; 14:718-738. [PMID: 37080461 PMCID: PMC10334162 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiologic evidence supports a positive association between ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption and body mass index. This has led to recommendations to avoid UPFs despite very limited evidence establishing causality. Many mechanisms have been proposed, and this review critically aimed to evaluate selected possibilities for specificity, clarity, and consistency related to food choice (i.e., low cost, shelf-life, food packaging, hyperpalatability, and stimulation of hunger/suppression of fullness); food composition (i.e., macronutrients, food texture, added sugar, fat and salt, energy density, low-calorie sweeteners, and additives); and digestive processes (i.e., oral processing/eating rate, gastric emptying time, gastrointestinal transit time, and microbiome). For some purported mechanisms (e.g., fiber content, texture, gastric emptying, and intestinal transit time), data directly contrasting the effects of UPF and non-UPF intake on the indices of appetite, food intake, and adiposity are available and do not support a unique contribution of UPFs. In other instances, data are not available (e.g., microbiome and food additives) or are insufficient (e.g., packaging, food cost, shelf-life, macronutrient intake, and appetite stimulation) to judge the benefits versus the risks of UPF avoidance. There are yet other evoked mechanisms in which the preponderance of evidence indicates ingredients in UPFs actually moderate body weight (e.g., low-calorie sweetener use for weight management; beverage consumption as it dilutes energy density; and higher fat content because it reduces glycemic responses). Because avoidance of UPFs holds potential adverse effects (e.g., reduced diet quality, increased risk of food poisoning, and food wastage), it is imprudent to make recommendations regarding their role in diets before causality and plausible mechanisms have been verified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinicius M Valicente
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Ching-Hsuan Peng
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Kathryn N Pacheco
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Luotao Lin
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Elizabeth I Kielb
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Elina Dawoodani
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Afsoun Abdollahi
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Richard D Mattes
- Department of Nutrition Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
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Almiron-Roig E, Navas-Carretero S, Castelnuovo G, Kjølbæk L, Romo-Hualde A, Normand M, Maloney N, Hardman CA, Hodgkins CE, Moshoyiannis H, Finlayson G, Scott C, Raats MM, Harrold JA, Raben A, Halford JCG, Martínez JA. Impact of acute consumption of beverages containing plant-based or alternative sweetener blends on postprandial appetite, food intake, metabolism, and gastro-intestinal symptoms: Results of the SWEET beverages trial. Appetite 2023; 184:106515. [PMID: 36849009 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.106515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Project SWEET examined the barriers and facilitators to the use of non-nutritive sweeteners and sweetness enhancers (hereafter "S&SE") alongside potential risks/benefits for health and sustainability. The Beverages trial was a double-blind multi-centre, randomised crossover trial within SWEET evaluating the acute impact of three S&SE blends (plant-based and alternatives) vs. a sucrose control on glycaemic response, food intake, appetite sensations and safety after a carbohydrate-rich breakfast meal. The blends were: mogroside V and stevia RebM; stevia RebA and thaumatin; and sucralose and acesulfame-potassium (ace-K). At each 4 h visit, 60 healthy volunteers (53% male; all with overweight/obesity) consumed a 330 mL beverage with either an S&SE blend (0 kJ) or 8% sucrose (26 g, 442 kJ), shortly followed by a standardised breakfast (∼2600 or 1800 kJ with 77 or 51 g carbohydrates, depending on sex). All blends reduced the 2-h incremental area-under-the-curve (iAUC) for blood insulin (p < 0.001 in mixed-effects models), while the stevia RebA and sucralose blends reduced the glucose iAUC (p < 0.05) compared with sucrose. Post-prandial levels of triglycerides plus hepatic transaminases did not differ across conditions (p > 0.05 for all). Compared with sucrose, there was a 3% increase in LDL-cholesterol after stevia RebA-thaumatin (p < 0.001 in adjusted models); and a 2% decrease in HDL-cholesterol after sucralose-ace-K (p < 0.01). There was an impact of blend on fullness and desire to eat ratings (both p < 0.05) and sucralose-acesulfame K induced higher prospective intake vs sucrose (p < 0.001 in adjusted models), but changes were of a small magnitude and did not translate into energy intake differences over the next 24 h. Gastro-intestinal symptoms for all beverages were mostly mild. In general, responses to a carbohydrate-rich meal following consumption of S&SE blends with stevia or sucralose were similar to sucrose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Almiron-Roig
- University of Navarra, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Dept. of Food Science and Physiology, Pamplona, Spain; University of Navarra, Center for Nutrition Research, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNa), Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Santiago Navas-Carretero
- University of Navarra, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Dept. of Food Science and Physiology, Pamplona, Spain; University of Navarra, Center for Nutrition Research, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNa), Pamplona, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Louise Kjølbæk
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Ana Romo-Hualde
- University of Navarra, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Dept. of Food Science and Physiology, Pamplona, Spain; University of Navarra, Center for Nutrition Research, Pamplona, Spain.
| | - Mie Normand
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Niamh Maloney
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | | | - Charo E Hodgkins
- Food Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
| | | | | | - Corey Scott
- Cargill R&D Centre Europe, Vilvoorde, Belgium.
| | - Monique M Raats
- Food Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
| | - Joanne A Harrold
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Anne Raben
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
| | - Jason C G Halford
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; School of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - J Alfredo Martínez
- University of Navarra, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Dept. of Food Science and Physiology, Pamplona, Spain.
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Gibbons C, O'Hara B, O'Connor D, Hardman C, Wilton M, Harrold JA, Almiron-Roig E, Navas-Carretero S, Hodgkins CE, Nazare JA, Alligier M, Martínez JA, Scott C, Kjølbæk L, Normand M, Rannou C, Blaak EE, Feskens E, Moshoyiannis H, Raben A, Halford JCG, Beaulieu K, Finlayson G. Acute and repeated impact of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers in solid and semi-solid foods on appetite: protocol for a multicentre, cross-over, RCT in people with overweight/obesity - the SWEET Project. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e063903. [PMID: 36564114 PMCID: PMC9791453 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-063903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intake of free sugars in European countries is high and attempts to reduce sugar intake have been mostly ineffective. Non-nutritive sweeteners and sweetness enhancers (S&SEs) can maintain sweet taste in the absence of energy, but little is known about the impact of acute and repeated consumption of S&SE in foods on appetite. This study aims to evaluate the effect of acute and repeated consumption of two individual S&SEs and two S&SE blends in semisolid and solid foods on appetite and related behavioural, metabolic and health outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A work package of the SWEET Project; this study consists of five double-blind randomised cross-over trials which will be carried out at five sites across four European countries, aiming to have n=213. Five food matrices will be tested across three formulations (sucrose-sweetened control vs two reformulated products with S&SE blends and no added sugar). Participants (body mass index 25-35 kg/m2; aged 18-60 years) will consume each formulation for 14 days. The primary endpoint is composite appetite score (hunger, inverse of fullness, desire to eat and prospective food consumption) over a 3-hour postprandial incremental area under the curve during clinical investigation days on days 1 and 14. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The trial has been approved by national ethical committees and will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Results will be published in international peer-reviewed open-access scientific journals. Research data from the trial will be deposited in an open-access online research data archive. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT04633681.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Charlotte Hardman
- Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Moon Wilton
- Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Joanne A Harrold
- Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Eva Almiron-Roig
- Centre for Nutrition Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Santiago Navas-Carretero
- Centre for Nutrition Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Charo E Hodgkins
- Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Julie Anne Nazare
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Rhône-Alpes Research Centre for Human Nutrition, Pierre-Benite, France
| | - Maud Alligier
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Rhône-Alpes Research Centre for Human Nutrition, Pierre-Benite, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, French Obesity Research Centre of France, Pierre-Bénite, France
| | - Jose Alfredo Martínez
- Centre for Nutrition Research, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Precision Nutrition Program, IMDEA, Madrid, Spain
| | - Corey Scott
- Ingredients, Materials and Nutrition, Cargill, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Louise Kjølbæk
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mie Normand
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ellen E Blaak
- School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Edith Feskens
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Anne Raben
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Clinical Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
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Mehat K, Chen Y, Corpe CP. The Combined Effects of Aspartame and Acesulfame-K Blends on Appetite: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Adv Nutr 2022; 13:2329-2340. [PMID: 36056917 PMCID: PMC9776645 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmac072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspartame (Asp) and acesulfame-K (Ace-K) are nonnutritive sweeteners (NNSs) commonly used in combination to replace added sugars in reduced- or low-calorie foods and beverages. Despite Asp/Ace-K blends having negligible calories, their effects on appetite have not been reviewed systematically. We therefore undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of the metabolic effects of Asp/Ace-K blends on energy intake (EI), subjective appetite scores, blood glucose, and the incretin hormones glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide and glucagon-like peptide. MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases (Embase, PubMed, and CINAHL) were searched (May 2021) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Human RCTs using Asp/Ace-K blends compared with sugar and water controls were included, whereas isolated cell and animal studies were excluded. An overall 4829 publications were identified and 8 studies, including 274 participants, were retrieved for review. The Asp/Ace-K group's EI was significantly reduced compared with sugar [mean difference (MD): -196.56 kcal/meal; 95% CI: -332.01, -61.11 kcal/meal; P = 0.004] and water (MD: -213.42 kcal/meal; 95% CI: -345.4, -81.44 kcal/meal; P = 0.002). Meta-analysis of subjective appetite scores and incretins could not be undertaken due to inconsistencies in data reporting and insufficient data, respectively, but of the 4 studies identified, no differences were observed between Asp/Ace-K blends and controls. The Asp/Ace-K group's blood glucose was nonsignificantly reduced compared with sugar (MD: -1.48 mmol/L; 95% CI: -3.26, 0.3 mmol/L; P = 0.1) and water (MD: -0.08 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.62, 0.47 mmol/L; P = 0.78). Lower EI in participants who were predominantly healthy and assigned to Asp/Ace-K blends could not be reliably attributed to changes in subjective appetite scores. Blood glucose and incretins were also generally not affected by Asp/Ace-K blends when compared with controls. Additional short- and long-term RCTs using NNSs and sugars at dietarily relevant levels are needed. This trial was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42017061015).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirnjot Mehat
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Life Courses, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, School of Life Courses, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Teysseire F, Flad E, Bordier V, Budzinska A, Weltens N, Rehfeld JF, Beglinger C, Van Oudenhove L, Wölnerhanssen BK, Meyer-Gerspach AC. Oral Erythritol Reduces Energy Intake during a Subsequent ad libitum Test Meal: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Trial in Healthy Humans. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14193918. [PMID: 36235571 PMCID: PMC9571225 DOI: 10.3390/nu14193918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of oral erythritol on subsequent energy intake is unknown. The aim was to assess the effect of oral erythritol compared to sucrose, sucralose, or tap water on energy intake during a subsequent ad libitum test meal and to examine the release of cholecystokinin (CCK) in response to these substances. In this randomized, crossover trial, 20 healthy volunteers received 50 g erythritol, 33.5 g sucrose, or 0.0558 g sucralose dissolved in tap water, or tap water as an oral preload in four different sessions. Fifteen minutes later, a test meal was served and energy intake was assessed. At set time points, blood samples were collected to quantify CCK concentrations. The energy intake (ad libitum test meal) was significantly lower after erythritol compared to sucrose, sucralose, or tap water (p < 0.05). Before the start of the ad libitum test meal, erythritol led to a significant increase in CCK compared to sucrose, sucralose, or tap water (p < 0.001). Oral erythritol given alone induced the release of CCK before the start of the ad libitum test meal and reduced subsequent energy intake compared to sucrose, sucralose, or tap water. These properties make erythritol a useful sugar alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabienne Teysseire
- St. Clara Research Ltd. at St. Claraspital, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Emilie Flad
- St. Clara Research Ltd. at St. Claraspital, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Valentine Bordier
- St. Clara Research Ltd. at St. Claraspital, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aleksandra Budzinska
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Weltens
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jens F. Rehfeld
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, 1172 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Lukas Van Oudenhove
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, Laboratory for Brain-Gut Axis Studies, Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Catholic University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Bettina K. Wölnerhanssen
- St. Clara Research Ltd. at St. Claraspital, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Christin Meyer-Gerspach
- St. Clara Research Ltd. at St. Claraspital, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-61-685-85
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8
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Is There an Academic Bias against Low-Energy Sweeteners? Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071428. [PMID: 35406042 PMCID: PMC9003104 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This perspective considers evidence of a common academic bias against low-energy sweeteners (LES). The core proposition is that this bias is manifested in research and reporting focused on generating and placing a negative spin on LESs, largely through selective citation, interpretation and reporting. The evidence centres on three inter-related points, which together may generate a misleading impression of the balance of evidence: (1) basic and mechanistic research on LES perpetuates “explanations” for unsubstantiated adverse effects of LES; (2) the literature on LES—particularly narrative reviews and commentaries—continually reprises hypotheses of adverse effects without acknowledging where these hypotheses have been rigorously tested and rejected; and (3) negative interpretations of the effects of LES largely rely upon selectively emphasising lower-quality research whilst ignoring or dismissing higher-quality evidence. The expert community should consider these issues in assuring scientific integrity and balance in the academic discourse on LES, and how this is translated into messages for public health and consumers.
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