Comprehensive Review Finds No Biologically Plausible Cancer Risk From Non-Sugar Sweeteners
A comprehensive systematic review of 90 epidemiological studies published in Advances in Nutrition. The study found no consistent evidence linking non-sugar sweeteners to cancer, with findings supported by animal and mechanistic data showing no biologically plausible cancer risk in humans.
A systematic review, sponsored by the American Beverage Association entitled, “A Systematic Review of Non-Sugar Sweeteners and Cancer Epidemiology Studies“, has been published in Advances in Nutrition. Epidemiology studies of sweetener intake (all types in aggregate and individually) and the risks of all types of cancer published through Fall 2024 (90 total included (30 cohort studies and 60 case-control studies) were included. Prior to evidence synthesis, the quality of each study was assessed across several domains. This included the NSS intake assessment, covariate consideration and confounding, outcome assessment, and selection bias. Domains most likely to impact the interpretation of results were selected in order to identify study strengths and any threats to validity, and to determine the reliability of results.
Key Findings
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- No consistent associations between any sweeteners (individually or in aggregate) and any cancer overall were found, as well as no evidence for dose–response.
- Experimental animal and mechanistic evidence does not support human-relevant carcinogenicity or any biologically plausible mechanisms for genotoxicity or cancer in humans.
- Overall, epidemiology evidence does not support associations between any sweeteners and any cancer type.
Read: Advances in NutritionLearn more about: Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners