A new study out of Denmark has shown that substituting sugar with low-calorie sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and stevia can be beneficial for weight loss, weight management, and improving mood. Lead author Anne Raben stated that their findings support the use of sweeteners as alternatives to sugar-sweetened products to help people manage their weight. The University of Copenhagen researchers conducted a year-long study involving obese children and adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater, dividing them into two groups to compare the effects of sweeteners on weight loss and other health markers.
The study found that adults consuming sweeteners had slightly better weight loss maintenance after one year compared to the group consuming sugar, with an average of 16 pounds lost versus 12 pounds in the sugar group. Children, on the other hand, did not show a significant difference in weight loss, but those allowed to consume sweeteners had lower levels of uncontrolled eating after 12 months. Additionally, participants who consumed sweeteners were more likely to decrease their intake of sugary foods and beverages over time, showing that the benefits of switching to sweeteners lasted longer than the study period.
The positive effects of switching to sweeteners were seen to last for at least a year after rapid weight loss in adults, without increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, the research showed that using sweeteners did not impact the markers for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study is set to be presented at The European Congress on Obesity in Venice in May, and Professor Jason Halford from the University of Leeds commented on the increasing evidence that low-calorie sweeteners are beneficial for long-term weight management despite previous concerns about their link to weight gain.
The reputation of low-calorie sweeteners has fluctuated over the years, with some conflicting studies about their health effects. The American Heart Association recently supported a study showing that both sugar- and artificially-sweetened beverages can increase the risk of irregular heartbeat and stroke. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a significant rise in obesity worldwide, with the percentage of obese adults more than doubling from 1990 to 2022. Experts recommend focusing on healthy eating behaviors such as consuming a balanced diet and eating when hungry rather than trying to strictly control eating, as diets not medically necessary can have harmful effects and lead to long-term struggles with weight.
In conclusion, the study from the University of Copenhagen suggests that switching from sugar to low-calorie sweeteners can be beneficial for weight loss, weight management, and improving eating habits in adults with overweight. The research showed that adults who consumed sweeteners had better weight loss maintenance than those consuming sugar, while children showed lower levels of uncontrolled eating with sweetener consumption. The positive effects of sweeteners on weight and eating habits lasted beyond the study period, without increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. Despite the fluctuating reputation of sweeteners, evidence is growing that they can be a useful tool for long-term weight management.
