University of Bristol
Use of low energy sweeteners (LES) in place of sugar, in
children and adults, leads to reduced calorie intake and body weight -- and
possibly also when comparing LES beverages to water -- according to a review
led by researchers at the University of Bristol published in the International
Journal of Obesity.
For the first time, all available science was integrated into a
single review to evaluate the real impact of LES, such as saccharin, aspartame,
sucralose and stevia, on energy intake (EI) and body weight (BW) over the
short- and long-term.
A considerable weight of evidence confirmed that
consuming LES instead of sugar helps reduce relative energy intake and body
weight.
The authors conducted systematic reviews of relevant studies in
animals and humans consuming LES in a non-restricted diet. In total, 12 human
prospective cohort studies, 228 comparisons in human intervention studies
(short and long-term) and 90 animal studies were examined.
Managing energy balance (that is, energy intake vs. energy
expenditure) well results in a steady body weight. On the contrary, eating an
excessive amount of food causes an increase in body weight as this extra energy
is stored in the body as adipose tissue (fat).
Low energy sweeteners were
developed for consumers looking for ways to reduce their sugar and energy
intake.
The comparison between LES beverages and water is important
because it shows that LES do not increase appetite. If anything, the evidence
suggests that LES beverages reduced weight more than water.
One reason for this
may be that switching from sugar-sweetened drinks to those with LES may be an
easier and more acceptable dietary change to make than switching to water.
