1. By Jennie Kim

2.  Learn how artificial sweeteners are becoming more popular  Understand how they affect appetite regulation of your body  Learn their significance on weight management  Know the potential hazards that are associated with artificial sweeteners

3.  The obesity epidemic is linked to high dietary intakes of sucrose and fructose. ◦ Insulin resistance can result, which can lead to diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and stroke.  Artificial sweeteners have little to no calories, so they are a tempting choice over sugar.  They are being increasingly added to processed foods (they’re in cosmetics too). ◦ More foods are labeled as “diet” or “light”  As of 2007, 86% of Americans use low-calorie, reduced sugar, or sugar-free foods and beverages.

4.  Sucralose (Splenda)*  Aspartame (Equal, Nutrasweet)*  Saccharin (Sweet ‘N Low)*  Neotame  Acesulfame-K * = Most commonly used

5.  Does the sweetness of artificial sweeteners make you eat more? ◦ Adults  No significant differences compared to sucrose on hunger stimulation. ◦ Children  Complete energy compensation was seen in comparison to sucrose.  What about glucose metabolism? ◦ No significant changes on insulin, glucagon, or blood glucose levels. ◦ Ghrelin levels decreased with sucrose, meaning it responds to energy intake.

6.  Currently, there is not enough scientific evidence to support that artificial sweeteners are beneficial to weight loss. ◦ Studies show a modest to no change in weight.  Dependent on other factors ◦ Lifestyle ◦ Physical activity

7.  Are there carcinogenic risks? ◦ The FDA approved them to be safe for general use. Most artificial sweeteners are not metabolized by the body.  One exception is aspartame, which is broken down in the body, yielding 4 kcal/g.  Studies of potential toxicity ◦ Migraines were reported in mild cases. ◦ Certain cancers (bladder and mammary), DNA damage, lymphomas, and leukemias were seen in rats.  Can results from animals be translated to humans?

8.  The rise of obesity will cause more people to turn to artificial sweeteners to replace sugar in an effort to control their weight.  Artificial sweeteners alone will not cause weight loss. A restricted calorie plan and increased physical activity should be followed through to produce results.  It is impossible to completely avoid artificial sweeteners, but they should be restricted based on potential health risks.

9.  Which artificial sweetener is completely broken down in the body? ◦ Aspartame  True or false: The side effects of artificial sweeteners have been heavily researched in humans. ◦ False

10.  Raben A, Richelsen B. Artificial sweeteners: a place in the field of functional foods? Focus on obesity and related metabolic disorders. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2012 Nov;15(6):597- 604. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e328359678a. PubMed PMID: 23037901.Artificial sweeteners: a place in the field of functional foods? Focus on obesity and related metabolic disorders.  Whitehouse CR, Boullata J, McCauley LA. The potential toxicity of artificial sweeteners. AAOHN J. 2008 Jun;56(6):251-9; quiz 260-1. Review. PubMed PMID: 18604921.The potential toxicity of artificial sweeteners.  Anderson GH, Foreyt J, Sigman-Grant M, Allison DB. The use of low-calorie sweeteners by adults: impact on weight management. J Nutr. 2012 Jun;142(6):1163S-9S. Epub 2012 May 9. Review. PubMed PMID: 22573781.The use of low-calorie sweeteners by adults: impact on weight management.  Foreyt J, Kleinman R, Brown RJ, Lindstrom R. The use of low-calorie sweeteners by children: implications for weight management. J Nutr. 2012 Jun;142(6):1155S-62S. Epub 2012 May 9. PubMed PMID: 22573780.The use of low-calorie sweeteners by children: implications for weight management.  Brown AW, Bohan Brown MM, Onken KL, Beitz DC. Short-term consumption of sucralose, a nonnutritive sweetener, is similar to water with regard to select markers of hunger signaling and short-term glucose homeostasis in women. Nutr Res. 2011 Dec;31(12):882-8. PubMed PMID: 22153513.Short-term consumption of sucralose, a nonnutritive sweetener, is similar to water with regard to select markers of hunger signaling and short-term glucose homeostasis in women.  Blackburn GL, Kanders BS, Lavin PT, Keller SD, Whatley J. The effect of aspartame as part of a multidisciplinary weight-control program on short- and long-term control of body weight. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997 Feb;65(2):409-18. PubMed PMID: 9022524.The effect of aspartame as part of a multidisciplinary weight-control program on short- and long-term control of body weight.  Image ◦ http://www.healthdaddi.com/2012/08/21/artificial-sweeteners-side-effects-dangers-and-poisons/ http://www.healthdaddi.com/2012/08/21/artificial-sweeteners-side-effects-dangers-and-poisons/