New Report Suggests Using Low Calorie Sweeteners can Suppress Appetite and Aids in Weight Loss

March 3, 2015

Studies find using low calorie sweeteners tends to reduce intake of sugar-containing foods

Spring is right around the corner and many people are looking for ways to kick-start their diet and get into shape for the summer months ahead. Swapping full sugar for low calorie sweeteners is a great way to reduce calories in your recipe repertoire or beverage of choice. However, some people question whether consuming low calorie sweeteners can increase or decrease appetites for sweets.

Now, a new paper published in Current Obesity Reports  found research does not support that low calorie sweeteners—like sucralose, the sweetening ingredient in Splenda^® Sweetener Products—can cause sweet cravings or an increased appetite for sweet¹. In fact, the publication highlights clinical trials in both children and adults suggest using low calorie sweeteners tends to reduce rather than increase intake of sugar-containing foods and their use may assist in weight loss.

The paper reports that various low calorie sweeteners, which have been used for decades, enables consumers to enjoy the palatable sweet taste of their favorite foods and beverages without all the energy load of sugar. These ingredients have a very high sweetening power compared to sugar, so they can be used in small amounts to achieve the desired level of sweetness to foods and drinks, while contributing very little or no energy to the final product.

“Low calorie sweeteners like Splenda^® Sweetener Products have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other global authorities as safe to use in foods and beverages and can be found in thousands of products around the world,” says Michelle Harrington, MS, RD, LDN, Manager, Regulatory Affairs, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC. “This new research paper helps to unravel the myths around low calorie sweeteners. The research supports that low calorie sweeteners likely help decrease appetite, rather than increase, intake of sugar-sweetened foods and can be a helpful tool in weight loss planning.”

One example of a recent study highlighted in the new paper is a randomized clinical trial by JC Peters, and fellow researchers, which evaluated the effect of sugar-free beverages or water during a 12-week weight loss treatment program². People in the low calorie sweetened beverage group had a higher weight loss and reported feeling less hungry.

“Reducing calories, eating healthy foods and exercising are the three most common lifestyle changes that most people follow when managing their weight,” Harrington says. “If you’re looking to jump start your diet, these studies suggest using low calorie sweeteners helps to reduce calories from full sugar and assists in weight loss.”

For more information about sucralose or the Splenda Brand, visit www.splendaliving.com.

ABOUT Splenda^®

Sucralose, the sweetening ingredient in Splenda^® Sweetener Products, has been used safely by millions of people around the world for more than 20 years, supported by research data from more than 100 studies. Both the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) support the use of low calorie sweeteners such as sucralose as a useful tool in weight management and diabetes. For more information about sucralose or the Splenda^® Brand, visit www.splendaliving.com. You can also follow the Splenda^® Brand on Tumblr, Facebook, and Instagram.

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¹Bellisle, France. (2015). Intense Sweeteners, Appetite for the Sweet Taste, and Relationship to Weight Management. Springer Science & Business Media, New York.