Comprehensive Review Finds Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Support Weight Management Without Adverse Health Effects
A new narrative review was recently published in the Nutrients journal, “Effects of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners and Sweet Taste Exposure on Weight Management, Biomarkers of Health and Sweet Taste Preference—A Review of the Evidence from Recent European Consortia Studies.”
The review found that non-nutritive sweeteners support weight management without adverse health effects. Synthesizing findings from the European SWEET, SWITCH, and Sweet Tooth research consortia, the review reported no consistent evidence of adverse effects from non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) or habitual sweet taste exposure on body weight, cardiometabolic health, gut microbiota, appetite, or eating behavior. Across studies, replacing sugars with non-nutritive sweeteners supported weight management and sugar reduction strategies.
Objective
The objective of this narrative review was to synthesize evidence from three recent European consortia: SWEET, SWITCH and Sweet Tooth, which together provide complementary data from acute, short- and long-term randomized controlled trials. The studies examined the effects of NNSs and dietary sweet taste exposure on body weight, health-related biomarkers, sweet taste preference, and eating behavior.
Findings Across Studies
Across studies, replacing sugars with NNSs appeared to support weight loss maintenance, while NNS consumption and dietary sweet taste exposure showed no adverse changes in body weight, glucoregulatory and endocrine biomarkers, cardiometabolic risk factors, gut microbiota, or liver enzymes. Likewise, neither NNS use nor different dietary sweet taste exposure altered sweet taste liking, appetite sensation, energy intake, or food choice.
Context and Study Limitations
Each study varies in design and are limited in terms of the generalizability of their results (adult, overweight/obese, EU population, structured dietary/behavioral intervention, etc.). When considered together, these trials provide complementary evidence across different populations, intervention types, and experimental approaches. Further, these findings are consistent with the existing body of evidence that replacing sugars with NNSs can support weight management strategies and reduction in sugar intake.
Key Takeaways
The authors conclude that across the SWEET, SWITCH, and Sweet Tooth consortia, there is no consistent evidence of adverse effects from non‑nutritive sweetener use or habitual dietary sweet taste exposure on body weight, health‑related biomarkers, sweet taste preference, or eating behavior.
Related Resources
Learn more about sweeteners.