ATLANTA (August 1, 2012) — An article “Gut Microbial Adaptation to Dietary Consumption of Fructose Artificial Sweeteners and Sugar Alcohols: Implications for host-microbe interactions contributing to obesity,” fails to show that fructose and low-calorie sweeteners contribute to obesity. The authors hypothesized that consuming fructose or low-calorie sweeteners could disrupt the environment where food is digested and that could lead to metabolic disorders and obesity. However, this hypothesis is a theory that has not been proven scientifically, and is not supported by the current body of scientific research.
The Calorie Control Council cites the following as serious limitations of this study:
Obesity is a multi-faceted issue. Weight maintenance and health involve many factors, such as healthful eating habits (including balance and moderation), exercise and long-term commitment. There is no scientific evidence that one component of the diet, such as fructose or low-calorie sweeteners, is responsible for obesity or metabolic disorders.