Embracing Sweetness: How low/no calorie sweeteners can help in managing obesity

At a time when the rates of obesity continue to increase worldwide, strategies are needed to support individuals in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. From a dietary perspective, it would be helpful to reflect on the role that low/no calorie sweeteners (LNCS) could play in helping people manage their weight. When used as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle, LNCS can be a useful tool to help reduce excessive sugars and energy intakes, assisting with weight control.

With the European Congress on Obesity underway, let’s reflect on whether there is a way to enjoy life's sweet moments even when reducing one’s sugar and calorie intake. ?

Balancing Flavour and Health

Everyone enjoys the taste of sweetness: it is an integral part of the human diet. Our appetite for sweet taste is innate, expressed even before birth, and spans across all ages and cultures around the world. However, managing its health impact can be challenging. Our food environment has changed considerably over the last years where palatable and convenient food products are widely available. In times when health organisations worldwide recommend that free sugar intake should be reduced to less than 10%, or even 5% of total daily energy intake, managing dietary sweetness is critical from a nutritional and public health perspective.

When used instead of sugar, LNCS offer a way to enjoy our favourite sweet flavours while keeping our energy intake in check. By contributing to reducing sugar intake, they can help us control our weight or follow a special diet.

Debunking Myths with Facts

But what about their safety? When it comes to LNCS, safety is the top priority. LNCS are amongst the most thoroughly researched ingredients in the world. They have been rigorously vetted by food safety authorities worldwide, including EFSA in Europe and the Joint WHO/FAO’s Expert Committee on Food Additives, JECFA.

Unfortunately, there’s still some confusion about LNCS, fueled by misinformation. A common concern is the risk of overconsumption.

On this, the evidence is clear: today’s consumption is well within safe limits. As part of their safety evaluations of food additives, food safety authorities, such as the EFSA in Europe and the FDA in the US, establish an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for each substance. The ADI is the amount of a substance that people can consume daily during their whole life without any appreciable health risk. Numerous studies confirm that intake is well below the individual sweetener ADI among the general population.

Another misconception is that sweeteners fuel our craving for sugary treats. But recent studies have put that idea to rest. It turns out sweeteners have little to do with our sweet tooth cravings and they can even help manage those as part of a structured dietary plan.

Empowering Healthier Choices

Low/no calorie sweeteners are more than just sugar substitutes; they can be proactive support tools in our global fight against obesity. They help reduce calorie intake and body weight when used instead of sugar and as part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. ?Too often, the same public health measures targeting added sugar apply also to LNCS, leaving consumers with fewer options.

Moreover, besides aiding in obesity management, low/no calorie sweeteners can offer significant aid to people with diabetes who need to carefully manage their food consumption. As they do not spike blood glucose levels, LNCS allow them to do this, while still being able to enjoy sweet-tasting food and drinks. Thanks to low/no calorie sweeteners, people with diabetes can still have sweet options they can enjoy while controlling glucose levels.

LNCS are used in food and drink products in place of sugar to confer the desired level of sweetness while contributing very little or no energy at all to the final product. Let’s acknowledge the value they bring to public health (i.e. through food reformulation) and encourage policies that recognise the role LNCS can play in managing consumers’ sugar consumption.

Join the conversation

We encourage you to dive deeper into the science and benefits of LNCS and join us in making informed choices towards healthier lifestyles. Let's use this knowledge to fuel our discussions at the European Congress on Obesity and beyond.

Learn more on the International Sweeteners Association's website