When comparing NNS vs sucrose , significant weight/ BMI differences appeared favouring NNS .
Consumption of NNS led to significantly negative weight/ BMI differences in unrestricted energy diets , but not in weight-reduction diets .
Participants with overweight/obesity and adults showed significant favourable weight/ BMI differences with NNS .
Data suggest that replacing sugar with NNS leads to weight reduction , particularly in participants with overweight/obesity under an unrestricted diet , information that could be utilized for evidence -based public policy decisions
There is an ongoing debate about the possible influences of nonnutritive sweeteners ( NNS ) on body weight .
We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) with NNS to assess their impact on body weight .
A randomized controlled trial contrasting the effects of 4 low-calorie sweeteners and sucrose on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity.
BACKGROUND Low-calorie sweeteners ( LCSs ) provide sweetness with little or no energy . However , each LCS 's unique chemical structure has potential to elicit different sensory , physiological , and behavioral responses that affect body weight . OBJECTIVE The purpose of this trial was to compare the effects of consumption of 4 LCSs and sucrose on body weight , ingestive behaviors , and glucose tolerance over a 12-wk intervention in adults ( 18 - 60 y old ) with overweight or obesity ( body mass index 25 - 40 kg/m2 ) . METHODS In a parallel-arm design , 154 participants were r and omly assigned to consume 1.25 - 1.75 L of beverage sweetened with sucrose ( n = 39 ) , aspartame ( n = 30 ) , saccharin ( n = 29 ) , sucralose ( n = 28 ) , or rebaudioside A ( rebA ) ( n = 28 ) daily for 12 wk . The beverages contained 400 - 560 kcal/d ( sucrose treatments ) or < 5 kcal/d ( LCS treatments ) . Anthropometric indexes , energy intake , energy expenditure , appetite , and glucose tolerance were measured at baseline . Body weight was measured every 2 wk with energy intake , expenditure , and appetite assessed every 4 wk . Twenty-four-hour urine collection s were completed every 4 wk to determine study compliance via para-aminobenzoic acid excretion . RESULTS Of the participants enrolled in the trial , 123 completed the 12-wk intervention . Sucrose and saccharin consumption led to increased body weight across the 12-wk intervention ( Δweight = + 1.85 ± 0.36 kg and + 1.18 ± 0.36 kg , respectively ; P ≤ 0.02 ) and did not differ from each other . There was no significant change in body weight with consumption of the other LCS treatments compared with baseline , but change in body weight for sucralose was negative and significantly lower compared with all other LCSs at week 12 ( weight difference ≥ 1.37 ± 0.52 kg , P ≤ 0.008 ) . Energy intake decreased with sucralose consumption ( P = 0.02 ) and ingestive frequency was lower for sucralose than for saccharin ( P = 0.045 ) . Glucose tolerance was not significantly affected by any of the sweetener treatments . CONCLUSIONS Sucrose and saccharin consumption significantly increase body weight compared with aspartame , rebA , and sucralose , whereas weight change was directionally negative and lower for sucralose compared with saccharin , aspartame , and rebA consumption . LCSs should be categorized as distinct entities because of their differing effects on body weight . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT02928653
When comparing NNS vs sucrose , significant weight/ BMI differences appeared favouring NNS .
Consumption of NNS led to significantly negative weight/ BMI differences in unrestricted energy diets , but not in weight-reduction diets .
Participants with overweight/obesity and adults showed significant favourable weight/ BMI differences with NNS .
Data suggest that replacing sugar with NNS leads to weight reduction , particularly in participants with overweight/obesity under an unrestricted diet , information that could be utilized for evidence -based public policy decisions
There is an ongoing debate about the possible influences of nonnutritive sweeteners ( NNS ) on body weight .
We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) with NNS to assess their impact on body weight .