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Splenda® Brand Sweetener and Weight Management

September 13, 2013

Quite a bit of misinformation has been circulating about low-calorie sweeteners, including questions about their use in weight management. However, the overall data shows that low-calorie sweeteners can be useful in strategies for weight management.

We encourage people to make informed choices about using Splenda® Brand Sweetener by reviewing the credible research available on sucralose (the no-calorie sweetening ingredient in all Splenda® Sweetener Products) and on low-calorie sweeteners in general.

The breadth of scientific research does not support the theory that low-calorie sweeteners cause people to gain weight or increase their appetite. In fact, studies of persons using low-calorie sweeteners show that low-calorie sweeteners can be useful in weight management strategies.

Additionally, rigorous large lifetime studies of rats that received amounts of sucralose comparable in sweetness to over 40 pounds of sugar per day showed that sucralose does not cause increases in body weight. Overall, there is a significant range of data that supports sucralose and other low-calorie sweeteners as positive tools in sensible weight management strategies.

Professional organizations including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics support these conclusions, and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) offers this advice: “As part of a weight loss or weight management plan, artificial sweeteners can provide low-calorie options for desserts and other treats instead of cutting them out completely.”

The theory that low-calorie sweeteners can contribute to weight gain by tricking the body to crave more calories is not supported by overall research. In fact, low-calorie sweeteners have been shown to be useful in weight loss programs.

While newer studies have sent some confusing messages, it is important to know that not all new studies, or the headlines that sometimes accompany them, are designed to actually assess cause and effect. For example, many of the recent articles on low-calorie sweeteners are from observational studies. These are studies that can show certain associations, but cannot test for cause and effect. In contrast, studies designed to test cause and effect show no evidence that low-calorie sweeteners cause weight gain. This is not at all surprising, since intake of these sweeteners provides little or no nutrients that can be stored as energy for weight gain.

Consumers should always take a practical, balanced approach toward weight management. Splenda® Zero Calorie Sweetener is not the single answer to a healthier lifestyle, nor is it a cure for obesity. But it can be an easy way to help reduce the daily intake of calories and carbohydrate from added sugars – without sacrificing taste. It’s one of many small changes people can make in their daily routines that can add up to meaningful changes in their weight management efforts over time.

For more information about the research on low-calorie sweeteners, visit these links: