The common belief is that consumption of artificial sweeteners will lead to a reduction in the calories consumed. If true, this would then lead to weight loss or prevention in weight gain. Unfortunately, this effect is not what happens. Detailed studies have not shown these artificial sweeteners reduce the amount of calories consumed or to have any significant effect on body weight. In fact, some studies have actually shown artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame, may actually increase appetite.
Background Information
Aspartame (trade names NutraSweet and Equal) is composed of aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol. It was approved for food use by the FDA in 1981 despite the final recommendation of the FDA Advisory Panel on aspartame that no approval be granted until safety issues could be resolved. Richard Wurtman, the pioneer in the study of nutrition and the brain, cautioned the FDA that, based on his extensive research, aspartame could significantly affect mood and behavior. His warning has proved prophetic.
New Data
The results of a new study conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 65th Annual Meeting in March, 2013. According to a press release, this study will show that adults who drink artificially sweetened beverages (diet drinks) have an increased risk of depression. The study involved 263,925 people between ages 50 and 71 years at enrollment. From 1995 to 1996, consumption of drinks such as soda, tea, fruit punch and coffee was evaluated. In 1995 to 1996, the primary artificial sweetener used in beverages was aspartame. At a 10-year follow-up, participants were asked whether they had been diagnosed with depression since the year 2000. A total of 11,311 depression diagnoses were made. The researchers found that people who drank more than four cans or cups per day of diet soda or other diet beverages were 30% more likely to develop depression than those who drank no soda. Drinking 4 cans/cups per day of regular soda or sweetened beverage was associated with a 22% increase in depression.
Comments
The bottom line is that consumers need to be staying away from all artificial sweeteners and look to nature for low-calorie sweeteners instead. Here are my top three recommendations:
- Stevia – a natural sweetener extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. Some stevia compounds are 300 times sweeter than sugar and stevia has an excellent safety profile.
- Sugar alcohols or polyol sweeteners like erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, and maltitol are extremely safe at moderate dosages. However, because they are poorly absorbed at higher dosages (e.g., greater than 10 grams daily) they can cause gastrointestinal symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to severe diarrhea especially in children because of their smaller size.
- Monk fruit extract is the newest member of natural sweeteners. Consumers will be hearing a lot about monk fruit as the makers of Splenda have just introduced Nectresse, a monk fruit extract product with erythritol, a little sugar, and molasses.
Reference:
Chen H, Guo X, Park Y, et al. Sweetened beverages, coffee and tea in relation to depression among older US adults. Am Acad Neurol. AAN 65th ANNUAL MEETING ABSTRACT. http://www.aan.com/globals/axon/assets/10430.pdf
