ISA Challenges “Inconsistent” Study Showing Low-Calorie Sweeteners Promote Fat Accumulation

05 Apr 2017 --- A new study has suggested that low-calorie, artificial sweeteners “play havoc with the body's metabolism,” arguing that large consumption of these sugar substitutes could promote fat accumulation, especially in people who are already obese. However, the ISA has fought back against the studies, saying, “The conclusions drawn by the investigators are wholly inconsistent with the far more robust studies.”

This study comes just days after additional new research showed that sucralose doesn’t increase appetite, refuting previous studies which suggested that it does.

This new study also looks at sucralose, examining its impact on stem cells -- cells that could change into mature fat, muscle, cartilage or bone cells--taken from human fat tissue.

Researchers placed these cells in Petri dishes for 12 days in media that promotes fat production, and observed an increased expression of genes that are markers of fat production and inflammation.

With these results, the investigators then analyzed biopsy samples of abdominal fat obtained from eight subjects who said they consumed low-calorie sweeteners (mainly sucralose and a trace of aspartame, and/or acesulfame potassium).

Four of the subjects were healthy weight, and four were obese. The researchers noted evidence of increased glucose (sugar) transport into cells and overexpression of known fat-producing genes, compared with fat biopsy samples from subjects who did not consume low-calorie sweeteners.

“From our study,” the researchers stated, “we believe that low-calorie sweeteners promote additional fat formation by allowing more glucose to enter the cells, and promotes inflammation, which may be more detrimental in obese individuals.”

“Many health-conscious individuals like to consume low-calorie sweeteners as an alternative to sugar. However, there is increasing scientific evidence that these sweeteners promote metabolic dysfunction,” said Sabyasachi Sen, M.D., an Associate Professor of Medicine and Endocrinology at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and the study's principal investigator.

However, the ISA has responded to the study saying, “The conclusions drawn by the investigators are wholly inconsistent with the far more robust studies, and points to both over-reaching, inflammatory conclusions and a want of good scientific rigor.”

“Moreover, the types of studies presented by researchers at George Washington University at ENDO 2017 are not the kinds of studies that can be considered appropriate for actual assessment of effects on human body weight or adiposity.”

“The reported results are overturned by extensive in vivo research studies that show that low calorie sweeteners, including sucralose, do not increase either body weight or adiposity.”

“Importantly, a large number of randomized clinical trials and well-designed systematic reviews have repetitively shown that, when used in place of sugar, low calorie sweeteners can help in energy reduction and weight loss.”

“It is widely recognized by the scientific community that it is critical to both avoid premature conclusions that might result from a single research study, especially when few details are available, and to look at the entire body of evidence.”

“The collective body of evidence, based on a wealth of well-designed research, supports that all approved low calorie sweeteners can help safely lower sugar intake. They can be a useful tool in nutritional strategies for maintaining or lowering body weight and fatness.”