Low-calorie sweeteners have no effect on appetite, new research says

The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) say that consumers use low-calorie sweeteners in foods and drinks to reduce their sugar consumption which in turn helps to
manage their daily calorie intake.

However, while this benefit is widely recognized when low-calorie sweeteners are used to replace sugars, there are claims supporting that they could hypothetically affect appetite, making a person eat more when compared to water.

This research question was addressed in two recent human studies that confirmed earlier evidence supporting those low-calorie sweeteners neither increase nor suppress appetite, says the ISA.

Controlled trial 
A new randomized controlled trial by Fantino et al. was conducted among 166 French adults, examining the short- and longer-term effects of low-calorie sweetened drinks versus water on appetite and food intake in “naïve” consumers. 

According to the ISA, this is of particular importance as it provides evidence in response to the questions raised around the use of low-calorie sweeteners by people who are not frequent consumers and its impact on appetite, the desire and consumption of sweet foods, when compared, for example, to water.

The study found no increase in selection and consumption of sweet foods and no effect on appetite, hunger, fullness, and desire-to-eat ratings, compared to water and following both acute and longer-term exposure.

In the context of the debate about low-calorie sweeteners and any effects on preference for sweet taste, Prof Fantino clarified that: “Contrary to what is frequently claimed, with regards to the effects of intense sweeteners on eating behavior, “sweet does not necessarily call for sweetness.”

“In our study, for both types of consumers, drinking low-calorie sweetened beverages did not lead to an increase in their preference for sweet foods over salty foods, nor did they change their food choices or their feelings of hunger and satiety.”