Artificial Sweeteners

“Toxicology is not a political science,” Ex-FDA official weighs-in on WHO aspartame news

30-Jun-2023 By Ryan Daily

Industry experts and trade groups are decrying the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer’s pending addition of aspartame to a list of possible carcinogens for humans as unscientific and politically motivated.

WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline

15-May-2023 By Oliver Morrison

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new guideline on non-sugar sweeteners (NSS), which recommends against the use of NSS to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Rare sugars expert announces sweetener breakthrough

26-Oct-2022 By Oliver Morrison

European industrial biotechnology specialist BRAIN Biotech has teamed up with Bonumose to bring the rare sugars expert’s sweetener tagatose to market globally.

Do artificial sweeteners increase risk of cardiovascular diseases?

15-Sep-2022 By Flora Southey

A ‘potential direct’ link between artificial sweetener intake and increased cardiovascular disease risk has been suggested by researchers, but industry is fighting back: “There is no causal evidence that low/no calorie sweeteners could increase the risk...

Researchers say water is the best choice for kids, with low-calorie sweetened drinks linked to higher calorie intake

13-May-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Kids and teens who consumed low- and zero-calorie beverages ended up consuming an additional 200 calories per day compared with those who drank water, according to a new study from researchers at George Washington University.

Report and industry clash over artificial sweeteners' role in childhood obesity

13-Apr-2015 By Joyeeta Basu

A new research report has said that artificial sweeteners may not help reduce obesity in children – a claim that the industry has dismissed.

Do zero-calorie sweeteners increase diabetes risk?

27-Oct-2014 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

“Artificial sweeteners may boost diabetes risk” ran the headline in the New York Times last month – but experts have said to take recent research with a pinch of salt.

Gut reaction: Zero-calorie sweeteners produce same response as water

19-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of zero-calorie artificial sweeteners in a drink may have an identical effect on gut responses as water, according to newly published human data.

The brain cannot be ‘fooled’ by artificial sweeteners, warn researchers

24-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

It is hard to fool the brain by providing it with 'energyless' sweet flavours, according to new research in mice that suggests that consumption of zero-calorie sweeteners leads to higher sugar consumption later.

Research firm GIA predicts polyols could soon outsell artificial sweeteners

18-Oct-2010 By Ben Bouckley

Safety concerns over artificial sweeteners and the expiry of patents mean that sales volumes could soon be overtaken by polyols, says a leading market research firm.

Artificial sweeteners may trigger fullness hormones

07-Jan-2010 By Stephen Daniells

The artificial sweetener sucralose may work together with glucose to stimulate the release of a protein that promotes a feeling of fullness, says new research from the US.

Nestle deepens taste understanding

03-Jul-2007 By Stephen Daniells

Scientists from Nestlé Research Center have identified the
molecular basis behind why artificial sweeteners taste sweet at low
levels and metallic at higher levels.

FDA publishes consumer article on sweetener safety

21-Jul-2006 By Lorraine Heller

Artificial sweeteners have received a strong endorsement this month
from the US government, which has published a fact sheet on sugar
substitutes that reconfirms its position on their safety.

Doubts cast over value of low-calorie sweeteners

21-Feb-2006 By Anthony Fletcher

A lack of convincing evidence means that firm conclusions on the
role of artificial sweeteners in weight loss cannot yet be made,
according to a scientist.

New research improves taste complexity for artificial sweeteners

30-Aug-2005 By staff reporter

Food developers meeting the constant challenge to disguise the
aftertaste of artificial sweeteners will gain from new research
that finds certain 'tastants' block the natural taste 'off-switch'.

Industry slams sweetener study

01-Jul-2004

A new study on artificial sweeteners reported in the news yesterday
has fuelled a rapid response from the soft drinks industry, which
branded the research by US researchers at Purdue University as
'pure speculation'.

Taste and texture impact calorie controls

30-Jun-2004

Artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body's natural ability to
'count' calories based on foods' sweetness, claim US researchers,
suggesting mouthfeel plays a crucial role in gauging calories and
casting a potential...