4
Y
ou can find them in everything from low-calorie
yogurt and ice cream to diet soft drinks, low-
calorie gelatins and tabletop sweeteners. And,
recent research indicates that foods and bever-
age sweetened with low-calorie sweeteners may
be useful in preventing weight gain, especially in
those who are overweight.
A new study published in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2002; 76: 721-9)
indicates that beverages sweetened with low-
calorie sweeteners may be helpful to overweight
individuals in preventing weight gain.
Researchers studied 41 overweight participants
(35 women and six men) for a period of 10
weeks. All of the participants were overweight by
at least 10 percent and were divided into a
sucrose group (which received foods and bever-
ages sweetened with sugar) or a low-calorie
sweetener group (which received similar foods
and beverages sweetened with low-calorie sweet-
eners). Most of the diets were supplemented
with soft drinks or sweetened juices.
Participants' energy content in the sucrose
group was significantly higher when compared
with the low-calorie sweetener group.
Subjects in the sucrose group experienced
weight gain (approximately 3.5 pounds) and a
rise in blood pressure. Those in the low-calorie
sweetener group, however, lost weight (approxi-
mately 2 pounds) and had a small decrease in
blood pressure. The authors concluded,
"Overweight subjects who consumed fairly
large amounts of sucrose (28% of energy),
mostly as beverages, had increased energy
intake, body weight, fat mass and blood pres-
sure after 10 wk. These effects were not
observed in a similar group of subjects who
consumed artificial sweeteners. Therefore,
overweight individuals may want to consider
choosing beverages containing artificial sweet-
eners rather than sucrose to prevent weight
gain."
And, it seems that the popularity of diet soft
drinks is gaining. An article in the Wall Street
Journal reported that for the 52 weeks ending
July 14, low-calorie soft drinks represented 30
percent of the total soft-drink market an
The "Low-Down" on Low-Calorie Sweeteners
increase of 6.6 percent in sales compared with the same period a
year ago, according to data from Information Resources Inc. (IRI).
Sales of regular soft drinks increased by 3.1 percent for the same
time frame. The article noted that many consumers are turning to
low-calorie drinks as a way to slim down and avoid adding addi-
tional weight.
Low-calorie sweeteners (not only in diet soft drinks but also in
other foods and beverages) allow consumers to enjoy their favorite
foods and beverages, and used in conjunction with a healthy
lifestyle (one that includes controlling caloric intake and participat-
ing in physical activity on a regular basis) may help consumers
"fight the battle of the bulge." The following is an update on
the many low-calorie sweeteners currently available or on
the horizon:
Acesulfame Potassium Used in Numerous Products
Acesulfame Potassium (Acesulfame K) is approximately 200 times
sweeter than sucrose and has been approved for use in 90 coun-
tries (including the U.S.). Acesulfame K is used as a tabletop sweet-
ener, in desserts, puddings, baked goods, soft drinks, candies and
canned foods. In the U.S., Acesulfame K is approved for chewing
gum, dry beverage mixes, dry dessert mixes, dry dairy analog
bases, tabletop sweeteners, confections, soft candy, hard candy
(including breath mints, cough drops and lozenges), baked goods,
dairy products, carbonated beverages and alcoholic beverages.
More than 90 studies have been conducted on the safety of
Acesulfame K and FDA determined that Acesulfame K was safe for
use after evaluating this research. For more information on
Acesulfame K, visit www.caloriecontrol.org/acesulf.html.
Alitame Approval Pending
Alitame is 2,000 times sweeter than sucrose and may be used in
the future in almost all areas where sweeteners are presently used
e.g., baked goods
and baking mixes, hot
and cold beverages,
dry beverage mixes,
milk products, frozen
desserts and mixes,
fruit preparations,
chewing gums and
candies, tabletop
sweeteners, toiletries and pharmaceuticals. Although alitame's
approval is still pending in the U.S., alitame has been approved for
use in Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the People's Republic of
China. For more information about alitame, visit www.caloriecon-
trol.org/alitame.html.
(continued on page 5)
A new study
published in the
American
Journal of
Clinical Nutrition
indicates that
beverages
sweetened with
low-calorie
sweeteners may
be helpful to
overweight
individuals in
preventing
weight gain.
