Sweet Talk: A Concise Guide to the Science behind Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners - PowerPoint Presentation

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Sweet Talk:

A Concise Guide to the Science behind Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners

Updated January

2021

Using this Resource

PurposeThis guide was created to provide all of the facts and supporting resources about Low- and No-calorie Sweeteners (LNCS) at your fingerprints. We’ve included easy-to-understand messages about LNCS to help you communicate about them accurately and confidently.

Reviewed by the SSAP

This content has been reviewed for accuracy by a panel of scientific experts and dietitians.

How to Use

This tool kit provides salient points about LNCS to make the science accessible. Feel free to use as part of patient education, talks at clinics, and in webinar presentations. We’ve made this into one PDF for the entire topic and separate PDFs per subtopic so you can drop any slides or visuals into your own presentations or other content.

Get in Touch

For questions, references and more resources: contact PNUK_sweeteners@porternovelli.co.uk

An introduction to Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners (LNCS)

What is a Low- and No- Calorie Sweetener?LNCS are used as

a substitute for sugar in foods and drinks. LNCS are an easy way to replace sugar, and, in turn calories, while delivering a sweet taste for favourite foods and drinks. Why Recommend LNCS?

Low-

and no- calorie sweeteners are a tasty way to succeed in

meeting sugar reduction recommendations when they replace sugar as part of a healthy, enjoyable diet.

The use of LNCS

does not cause a rise in blood glucose,

which is important for the management of diabetes.

As

part of a balanced diet, whether for weight loss or weight maintenance

, LNCS are a way to reduce calories from the sugar they replace.

LNCS aid in

preventing tooth decay

for a wide range of items including products like

chewing gum as well as soft drinks

Different TypesThere are 11 LNCS approved for use in soft drinks in Europe. These are four of the most frequently used. Each one has its own unique taste profile, characteristics and benefit.

To read more about the different types of LNCS check out UNESDA’s infographic

here

Safety First

LNCS: A 50-Year Track Record

Safe and rigorously tested

Most thoroughly researched ingredients in the world and can only be used after approval has been obtained from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)

A consumer benefit must also be shown before

any LNCS is added to the permitted list of non-sugar sweeteners

Sweetener Safety – Knowing the Lingo

Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) The ADI is the estimated amount per kilogram of body weight that a person can consume, on average, every day over a lifetime without risk. The ADI is set 100 times lower than the smallest amount that may cause health concerns.

E Number

Nothing is hidden – if a LNCS is added, it must say ‘with sweeteners’ on the label.

Ingredient lists must include the sweeteners’ full name and/or their European legislation ‘E’ number.

If a food additive has an E number, this is assurance that it has passed stringent safety tests and is approved for use throughout the EU.

Sugar Reduction

LNCS were created to as a substitute for sugar – their main purpose.Their usage has supported sugar and calorie reduction efforts.For example, the increased use of LNCS in soft drinks has led to a significant reduction in sugar and calorie intake (from soft drinks).

A healthy diet still needs to be followed – LNCS are not a license to indulge in more sugar from other food sources!Take-home sugar from soft drinks fell by 43.5% between March 2014 and March 2020*.

* Kantar Worldpanel, 2021.

Swapping to a

no-calorie soft drink

Saves you

25g sugar

1 x tablespoon of

no calorie ketchup

Saves you

3g sugar

1 x

coffee

(340ml) sweetened with LNCS

Saves you

4g sugar

How to Sort the Science

Look for limitations in LNCS Research – just like you would for any study!Check to see if it has:A small sample sizeHigh doses of LNCS

Lack of or poor dietary control or assessmentLow statistical power

Inconsistent evaluation of different sweeteners types and their metabolitesOther confounders including reverse causation

Evaluating Studies: Study strength increases as you climb the pyramid

LNCS and Weight Management

Weight Management

LNCS have not been proven to cause weight gain. The misconception springs from looking at observational studies that may show confounding factors or even reverse causality. Swapping from regular to low- or no-calorie drinks reduces calorie intake, but people still need to manage their overall calorie intake from other food and drinks.

For example, an observational study might show people who gained weight over time may use LNCS, but it cannot be proven as the cause of their weight gain.

LNCS reduce

calorie intake

Weight Management

Without adding extra calories or sugar, LNCS can help people adhere to a sustainable, pleasurable healthy diet.

A new systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs finds that when LNCS replace sugar in an overweight/obese population following an unrestricted diet, there are reductions in both BMI and in body weight.* *Laviada‐Molina, H, Molina‐

Segui, F, Pérez‐Gaxiola, G, et al. Effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on body weight and BMI in diverse clinical contexts: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews. 2020; 21:e13020. https://doi.org

/10.1111/obr.13020.

LNCS and Diabetes Management

Help with Diabetes Management

LNCS offer people with diabetes broader food choices by providing the pleasure of sweet taste without raising blood glucoseHave no impact on insulin and blood sugar levels to aid in carbohydrate management Provide a negligible amount of calories

Support weight loss and weight maintenance for people with type 2 diabetesEndorsed by Diabetes UK amongst other health organisations

Approved by the European Food Safety Authority

“Consumption of foods containing low calorie sweeteners instead of sugar induces a lower blood glucose rise after their consumption compared to sugar-containing foods.”

Benefits for People with Diabetes

More choice. LNCS offer people with diabetes a useful alternative to sugar as they do not affect overall blood sugar levels.Sound BG management. When used instead of sugar, LNCS cause a lower rise in blood sugar levels after eating. Drive down the daily sugar. Provide a way to decrease sugar intake and help meet lower sugar goals (when replacing sugar in the diet).

Enjoy without concern. LNCS are safe and rigorously tested. They are among the most thoroughly researched ingredients in the world and can only be used after approval has been obtained from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

LNCS and Gut Health

Know Your Gut

!

Evaluating LNCS and Gut Microbiota Research

Differences in human gut microbiota are associated with health, but evidence for causal links with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes are limited.

Gut microbiome bacterial types, metabolites and mechanisms involved are not fully understood.

Most studies of LNCS on microbiota are animal studies (in mice and rats), but effects are small and confounded by inadequate control groups and lack of dietary control.

Doses tested in animal studies are often much higher than the level a person could ever consume of a LNCS

Know Your Gut

Few human studies on LNCS and microbiota.Effects are inconsistent and difficult to interpret due to lack of dietary control or control groups.

More research required: Well controlled, human studies are needed to explore glucose tolerance/metabolic syndrome/type 2 diabetes in relation to gut microbiota and LNCS.

What the Science Tells Us Now:

Current human studies do not indicate that

LNCS have adverse effects on gut microbiota in healthy adults.

How to Learn More

For our full tool kit, including PDF resources for you and your patients, contact PNUK_sweeteners@porternovelli.co.uk

More information can be found at: https://www.sweeteners.org/

Thank you