Study Assesses Artificial Sweetener Absorption Into the Blood

25 Oct 2016 --- A new study that looked at the artificial sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame-potassium has revealed that, compared with adults, children have double the concentrations of plasma sucralose after ingesting a single twelve-ounce can of diet soda.

The research by investigators at the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, looked at 22 adults aged 18-45 and 11 children aged 6-12 with no known medical conditions, and who were not using any medications, in a randomized same-subject crossover study.

The researchers note in their abstract that their aim was to measure concentrations of the commonly used artificial sweetener sucralose, following ingestion of doses reflecting a range of consumption and to compare concentrations in children and adults. “Eleven adults consumed 355mL water containing 0 mg (control), 68, 170, or 250mg sucralose (equivalent to 1/4 diet sodas). A second group of adults (n = 11) consumed 355ml Diet Rite Cola (68mg sucralose and 41mg acesulfame-potassium (ace-K)) or 68mg sucralose and 41mg ace-K in seltzer. Beverages were provided at separate visits in randomized order, prior to an oral glucose tolerance test.”

“Eleven children consumed 0 or 68mg sucralose in 240mL water, in an identical study design. Blood was collected before beverage ingestion and serially for 120 min. Sucralose doses (corrected for weight) resulted in similar plasma concentrations in children and adults. Concentrations were comparable whether sucralose was administered in water, combined with ace-K, or in diet soda.” 

The researchers conclude: “Due to their lower body weight and blood volume, children have markedly higher plasma sucralose concentrations after the consumption of a typical diet soda, emphasizing the need to determine the clinical implications of sucralose use in children.”

A publisher press release notes: “The researchers state that the results of the study are very important because early life exposure to artificial sweeteners may influence a child’s future taste preferences, diet and metabolic fate. Since it is known that children generally prefer more sweetness than adults, they are especially vulnerable to the intense sweetness provided by artificial sweeteners.”

“Furthermore, because infants have less ability to clear substances from their blood stream via the kidneys (lower glomerular filtration rate up to age 2 years), the authors speculate that the infants’ artificial sweetener blood levels may be proportionately even higher.”

“The same research team previously found that these artificial sweeteners were also present in breast milk when mothers ingested foods, drinks, medicines or other products that contained artificial sweeteners.”

“The researchers hope this study will help with the design and interpretation of crucial future research to better understand what artificial sweeteners do to our health,” it concludes.

Having reviewed the results of the Sylvetsky et al. study, the International Sweeteners Association (ISA) strongly refutes claims made that the use of sucralose in foods and drinks consumed by children might have clinical implications. 

“An extensive number of studies have analyzed how different low calorie sweeteners are absorbed by the body and this is well documented. Indeed, these data are required by all scientific and regulatory authorities during the approval process for all low calorie sweeteners. Having reviewed this data, regulatory authorities including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have concluded that low calorie sweeteners such as sucralose are safe to be consumed by all population groups,” the statement notes.
 
“Sucralose consumption is safe for all population groups, including children, based on a robust body of scientific evidence evaluated by leading scientific and regulatory authorities worldwide including the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Europe.”  
 
“In light of the obesity epidemic and the increased risk in the development of obesity-related diseases, low-calorie sweeteners such as sucralose can play an important role in helping consumers reduce their energy intake and body weight. Furthermore, scientific organisations confirm that low calorie sweeteners are a safe choice for people with diabetes as they do not affect blood glucose and insulin levels,” it concludes.

Reference:

Allison C. Sylvetsky, Viviana Bauman, Jenny E. Blau, H. Martin Garraffo, Peter J. Walter, Kristina I. Rother. Plasma concentrations of sucralose in children and adults. Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, 2016; 1 DOI: 10.1080/02772248.2016.123475