Association between consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners and gestational diabetes mellitus in Chilean pregnant women: A secondary data analysis of the CHiMINCs-II cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between consumed non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a cohort of pregnant women from Santiago, Chile. METHODS: This secondary data analysis of a cohort.involved 1,472 pregnant women from the Chilean Maternal-Infant Cohort Study-II (CHiMINCs-II). These women received care at primary health care centers in Puente Alto county, South-Eastern Metropolitan Health Service of Santiago, Chile. NNS consumption was estimated using 24-h dietary recalls and linked to the packaged foods nutrition facts panel. Plasma glucose values were extracted from clinical records. GDM was defined according to national criteria: 1) fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥100 and <126 mg/dL at the first antenatal visit; 2) FPG ≥100 mg/dL or 2-hour plasma glucose ≥140 mg/dL in the 75 g oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks. Cases with a GDM diagnosis in their medical records were also considered regardless of test results. The association between each NNS and GDM was assessed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 77.8% of the participants consumed NNS. The most consumed was sucralose (66%), followed by acesulfame-K (43.6%), and steviol glycosides (41.1%). Beverages (82%), dairy (12.4%) and candy products (4.4%) were the primary dietary sources of NNS. The GDM incidence was 18.9%, higher among consumers of any NNS compared to non-consumers (20.3% vs. 14.2%, p < 0.05). The adjusted model showed a significant association between the consumption of any NNS and sucralose and the risk of GDM (OR for any NNS = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.10-2.26; P = 0.014; OR sucralose = 1.44; 95% CI 1.06-1.95; P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of NNS, particularly sucralose, is associated with an increased risk of GDM in pregnant women. Further studies are essential to validate these results in other contexts and to guide future recommendations for healthier dietary practices among pregnant populations.

Sucralose and stevia consumption leads to intergenerational alterations in body weight and intestinal expression of histone deacetylase 3.

OBJECTIVES: It is unclear whether parental consumption of non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) can affect subsequent generations. The aim of this study was to determine whether chronic parental consumption of sucralose and stevia in mice affects body weight gain and liver and intestinal expression of histone deacetylase 3 (Hdac3) in these animals and in the subsequent first filial (F1) and second filial (F2) generations. METHODS: Male and female mice (n = 47) were divided into three groups to receive water alone or supplemented with sucralose (0.1 mg/mL) or stevia (0.1 mg/mL) for 16 wk (parental [F0] generation). F0 mice were bred to produce the F1 generation; then, F1 mice were bred to produce the F2 generation. F1 and F2 animals did not receive NNSs. After euthanasia, hepatic and intestinal expression of Hdac3 was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Body weight gain did not differ between the three groups in the F0 generation, but it was greater in the F1 sucralose and stevia groups than in the control group. Consumption of both NNSs in the F0 generation was associated with lower Hdac3 expression in the liver and higher in the intestine. Hepatic Hdac3 expression was normalized to the control values in the F1 and F2 animals of the sucralose and stevia groups. Intestinal expression was still higher in the F1 generations of the sucralose and stevia groups but was partially normalized in the F2 generation of these groups, compared with control. CONCLUSIONS: NNS consumption differentially affects hepatic and intestinal Hdac3 expression. Changes in hepatic expression are not transmitted to the F1 and F2 generations whereas those in intestinal expression are enhanced in the F1 and attenuated in the F2 generations.

Sucralose: From Sweet Success to Metabolic Controversies-Unraveling the Global Health Implications of a Pervasive Non-Caloric Artificial Sweetener.

Sucralose is a food additive initially used to mitigate glycemic peaks and calorie intake in patients with diabetes and obesity. Although sucralose has been considered safe for human consumption, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a global alert in 2023 concerning the potential health implications of this artificial sweetener. This review aims to comprehensively explore the effects of sucralose intake on human health by understanding sucralose absorption, metabolism, and excretion. We also outline the role of the sweet taste 1 receptor 3 (T1R3) in mediating sucralose-dependent signaling pathways that regulate satiety, incretin release, and insulin response. Finally, we discuss the impact of sucralose on microbiome dysbiosis, inflammatory response origin, liver damage, and toxicity. Gaining a deeper understanding of the manifold effects of sucralose on human physiology will help promote further studies to ensure its consumption is deemed safe for a broader population, including children, adolescents, and pregnant women.

Effects of early-life stress followed by access to stevia or sucralose during adolescence on weight gain, glycemia, and anxiety-related behaviors in male and female rats.

Early-life stress and subsequent high-calorie diets during adolescence are known to be risk factors for developing metabolic and psychological disorders. Although non-nutritive sweeteners such as stevia and sucralose have been a useful alternative to reduce sugar consumption, the effects of prolonged consumption of these sweeteners on metabolism and behavior in adolescents remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the effects of early-stress followed by access to stevia or sucralose during adolescence on weight gain, glycemia, and anxiety-related behaviors in male and female rats. During postnatal days (PNDs) 1-21, pups were separated twice a day, for 180 min each time, from their dam nest while non-separated pups served as controls. The pups were weaned, separated by sex and randomly distributed into the stevia, sucralose and water conditions. During PNDs 26-50, two bottles containing water and stevia or sucralose were placed in the animal home-cages, and body weight and blood glucose measures were scored. On PNDs 50 and 51, behavioral measures were obtained in the open-field test. Results showed that male rats consuming stevia reduced body weight gain, blood glucose and increased locomotion. Early-stress led to low blood glucose and alterations in anxiety and locomotion-related behaviors in a sex-dependent manner. Moreover, sucralose access during adolescence reversed the effects of early-stress on anxiety-related behaviors in female rats. The results suggest that the consumption of stevia and sucralose could be an alternative for the replacement of sugar-sweetened beverages, especially in adolescents who have had adverse early-life experiences.

Sweeteners in Brazilian processed foods and beverages: prevalence, profile and concomitant addition of sugars and nutritional claims.

Brazil is experiencing an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity. To overcome these health problems, several strategies have been implemented, including incentives to reduce sugar intake and new packaging labeling. This has promoted an increase in the use of low or non-caloric sweeteners (LNCS). In this study, the use of LNCS in six Brazilian food groups (non-alcoholic beverages, dairy products, baked goods, confectionery, cereals, and condiments) was investigated through label declarations. Three supermarkets were visited in Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Ten out of the 16 LNCS allowed by the Brazilian legislation were declared. Altogether, among the 441 products included, 17.7% contained at least one LNCS, with an average of 2.21 LNCS per sweetened product. Non-alcoholic beverages (37.2%) and dairy products (29.5%) had the highest LNCS occurrence. Combinations of two, three, four, and seven LNCS were found. Artificial sweeteners represented 87.8% of the declared LNCS, with a higher prevalence of acesulfame-K, followed by cyclamate, and sucralose, respectively. Meanwhile, 53.9% of 78 products containing LNCS also had added sugars, and 70.5% used nutritional claims about reduced sugars and/or calories. This scenario highlights the importance of continuous monitoring of LNCS in foods and beverages as front-of-package labeling is not fully implemented yet.

Maternal consumption and perinatal exposure to non-nutritive sweeteners: should we be concerned?

The context for this review is the rapid increase in the use of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs) instead of sugar in foods and beverages, a situation so prevalent in some countries that consumers are finding it increasingly challenging to access foods without NNSs. The benefits of consuming NNSs on obesity and diabetes are now being questioned, and studies have shown that they may exert physiological activities, sometimes independently of sweet taste receptor stimulation. Few studies, limited mainly to North American and European countries, have described the consumption of NNSs by pregnant or lactating women and infants. Most focus on beverages rather than foods, but all agree that consumption levels have increased dramatically. Although some studies report a negative impact of NNSs on the risk of preterm birth, increased birth weight and decreased gestational age, the level of evidence is low. Several studies have also reported increased weight gain in infancy, associated with maternal NNS intake. Interestingly, several NNSs have been detected in amniotic fluid and breast milk, usually (but not always) at concentrations below their established detection limit in humans. Unfortunately, the impact of chronic exposure of the fetus/infant to low levels of multiple NNSs is unknown. In conclusion, there is a stark contrast between the galloping increase in the consumption of NNSs and the small number of studies evaluating their impact in at-risk groups such as pregnant and lactating women and infants. Clearly, more studies are needed, especially in Latin America and Asia, to fill these gaps and update recommendations.

Newborns from Mothers Who Intensely Consumed Sucralose during Pregnancy Are Heavier and Exhibit Markers of Metabolic Alteration and Low-Grade Systemic Inflammation: A Cross-Sectional, Prospective Study.

Robust data in animals show that sucralose intake during gestation can predispose the offspring to weight gain, metabolic disturbances, and low-grade systemic inflammation; however, concluding information remains elusive in humans. In this cross-sectional, prospective study, we examined the birth weight, glucose and insulin cord blood levels, monocyte subsets, and inflammatory cytokine profile in 292 neonates at term from mothers with light sucralose ingestion (LSI) of less than 60 mg sucralose/week or heavy sucralose intake (HSI) of more than 36 mg sucralose/day during pregnancy. Mothers in the LSI (n = 205) or HSI (n = 87) groups showed no differences in age, pregestational body mass index, blood pressure, and glucose tolerance. Although there were no differences in glucose, infants from HSI mothers displayed significant increases in birth weight and insulin compared to newborns from LSI mothers. Newborns from HSI mothers showed a substantial increase in the percentage of inflammatory nonclassical monocytes compared to neonates from LSI mothers. Umbilical cord tissue of infants from HSI mothers exhibited higher IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha with lower IL-10 expression than that found in newborns from LSI mothers. Present results demonstrate that heavy sucralose ingestion during pregnancy affects neonates' anthropometric, metabolic, and inflammatory features.

Low- and no-calorie sweetener intakes from beverages - an up-to-date assessment in four regions: Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The current assessment estimated exposure to four low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) (aspartame, acesulfame potassium (AceK), steviol glycosides and sucralose) from beverages in Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States, using up-to-date nationally representative consumption data and industry reported-use level information. Two modelling scenarios were applied - the probabilistic model was guided by reported use level data, with estimated intake for an individual leveraging market-weighted average use level of a particular LNCS in any given LNCS-sweetened beverage type, while the distributional (brand-loyal) model assumed consumer behaviour-led patterns, namely that an individual will be brand loyal to a pre-determined beverage type. Consumer-only and general population intake estimates were derived for the overall population and individual age categories, and compared to the respective acceptable daily intake (ADI) as established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) for each LNCS. The mean, 90th percentile and 95th percentile intake estimates were substantially lower than the ADI in both modelling scenarios, regardless of the population group or market. In the probabilistic model, the highest consumer-only intake was observed for AceK in Brazilian adolescents (95th percentile, 12.4% of the ADI), while the highest 95th percentile intakes in the distributional model were observed for sucralose in Canadian adults at 20.9% of the ADI. This study provides the latest insights into current intakes of LNCS from water-based non-alcoholic LNCS-sweetened beverages in these regions, aligning well with those published elsewhere.

[Non-caloric sweeteners consumption in the adult population of Argentina]. / Consumo de edulcorantes no calóricos en la población adulta de Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Non-caloric sweeteners (NCS) are used to replace added sugars in foods and beverages. For this replacement to be a health benefit, the intake of each NCS should not exceed its Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). The main objective of this study is to determine the consumption of aspartame, acesulfame-K, sucralose, and saccharin in the argentine population aged 15 to 65 years and to evaluate this consumption in relation to the ADI. Other objectives are to stratify the consumption based on different sociodemographic variables and to determine the main sources of NCS consumed by the argentine population. METHODS: The sample consisted of 1266 individuals (urban population aged 15-65), stratified by region, age, sex, and socioeconomic level. Intake data was collected with two 24-hour recalls. RESULTS: In Argentina, the average consumption of saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame-K and sucralose is well below their respective ADI: 8.4%, 3.2%, 2% and 0.3% of the ADI, respectively. The maximum reported consumptions do not exceed the ADI either. There is a higher proportion of women who consume NCS. The proportion of NCS consumers increases with age. The Northeast and South regions have the lowest percentage of NCS consumers. Beverages constitute the main source of NCS, followed by tabletop sweeteners. The contribution of food to NCS consumption is negligible. DISCUSSION: In Argentina there is a good safety margin for the reformulation of sugary products aimed at reducing the excess calories and added sugars consumed by the population.

Introducción: Los edulcorantes no calóricos (ENC) se utilizan para sustituir azúcares en alimentos y bebidas. Para que este reemplazo sea beneficioso para la salud, la ingesta de cada ENC no debería superar su ingesta diaria admisible (IDA). El objetivo principal de este estudio es determinar el consumo de aspartamo, acesulfame-K, sucralosa y sacarina en la población argentina de 15 a 65 años y evaluar este consumo en relación con la IDA. Otros objetivos son estratificar el consumo en función de distintas variables sociodemográficas y determinar las principales fuentes de ENC consumidas por la población argentina. Métodos: La muestra fue de 1266 individuos (población urbana 15-65 años), estratificada por región, edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico. Los datos de ingesta fueron recolectados con dos recordatorios de 24 horas. Resultados: En Argentina, el consumo promedio de sacarina, aspartamo, acesulfame-K y sucralosa está muy por debajo de su respectiva IDA: 8.4%, 3.2%, 2% y 0.3% de la IDA respectivamente. Los consumos máximos reportados tampoco superan la IDA. Hay una mayor proporción de mujeres consumidoras de ENC. La proporción de consumidores de ENC aumenta con la edad. Las regiones noreste y sur presentan el menor porcentaje de consumidores de ENC. Las bebidas constituyen la principal fuente de ENC, seguidas por los edulcorantes de mesa. La contribución de los alimentos al consumo de ENC es despreciable. Discusión: En Argentina existe un buen margen de seguridad para la reformulación de productos azucarados tendiente a disminuir el exceso de calorías y el consumo de azúcares añadidos.

Consumo de edulcorantes no calóricos en la población adulta de Argentina / Non-caloric sweeteners consumption in the adult population of Argentina

Resumen Introducción: Los edulcorantes no calóricos (ENC) se utilizan para sustituir azúcares en alimentos y bebidas. Para que este reemplazo sea beneficioso para la salud, la ingesta de cada ENC no de bería superar su ingesta diaria admisible (IDA). El objetivo principal de este estudio es determinar el consumo de aspartamo, acesulfame-K, sucralosa y sacarina en la población argentina de 15 a 65 años y evaluar este consumo en relación con la IDA. Otros objetivos son estratificar el consumo en función de distintas variables sociodemográficas y determinar las principales fuentes de ENC consumidas por la población argentina. Métodos: La muestra fue de 1266 individuos (población urbana 15-65 años), estratificada por región, edad, sexo y nivel socioeconómico. Los datos de ingesta fueron recolectados con dos recordatorios de 24 horas. Resultados: En Argentina, el consumo promedio de sacarina, aspartamo, acesulfame-K y sucralosa está muy por debajo de su respectiva IDA: 8.4%, 3.2%, 2% y 0.3% de la IDA respectivamente. Los consumos máximos reportados tampoco superan la IDA. Hay una mayor proporción de mujeres consumidoras de ENC. La proporción de consumidores de ENC aumenta con la edad. Las regiones noreste y sur presentan el menor porcentaje de consumidores de ENC. Las bebidas constituyen la principal fuente de ENC, seguidas por los edulcorantes de mesa. La contri bución de los alimentos al consumo de ENC es despreciable. Discusión: En Argentina existe un buen margen de seguridad para la reformulación de productos azucarados tendiente a disminuir el exceso de calorías y el consumo de azúcares añadidos.

Abstract Introduction: Non-caloric sweeteners (NCS) are used to replace added sugars in foods and bev erages. For this replacement to be a health benefit, the intake of each NCS should not exceed its Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). The main objective of this study is to determine the consumption of aspartame, acesulfame-K, sucralose, and saccharin in the argentine population aged 15 to 65 years and to evaluate this consumption in relation to the ADI. Other objectives are to stratify the consumption based on different sociodemographic vari ables and to determine the main sources of NCS consumed by the argentine population. Methods: The sample consisted of 1266 individuals (urban population aged 15-65), stratified by region, age, sex, and socioeconomic level. Intake data was collected with two 24-hour recalls. Results: In Argentina, the average consumption of saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame-K and sucralose is well below their respective ADI: 8.4%, 3.2%, 2% and 0.3% of the ADI, respectively. The maximum reported consumptions do not exceed the ADI either. There is a higher proportion of women who consume NCS. The proportion of NCS consumers increases with age. The Northeast and South regions have the lowest percentage of NCS consumers. Beverages constitute the main source of NCS, followed by tabletop sweeteners. The contribution of food to NCS consumption is negligible. Discussion: In Argentina there is a good safety margin for the reformulation of sugary products aimed at reduc ing the excess calories and added sugars consumed by the population.

Sucralose consumption ameliorates high-fat diet-induced glucose intolerance and liver weight gain in mice.

Sucralose is one of the most widely used artificial sweeteners used by the food industry to reduce the calorie density of their products. Although broadly regarded as innocuous, studies show contrasting results depending on whether the research subjects are lean or overweight. In this study, we studied the effect of sucralose consumption on glucose homeostasis in a model of obesity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed ad libitum with control or a high-fat diet (HFD) and drank either water or sucralose (0.1 mg/mL) for 8 weeks. To characterize the ensuing metabolic changes, we evaluated weight gain, glucose and pyruvate tolerance, and physical performance. Also, we assessed markers of steatosis and mitochondrial mass and function in the liver. Our results show that sucralose reduced weight gain, glucose, and pyruvate intolerance, and prevented the decrease in physical performance of HFD-fed mice. In the liver, sucralose also had a positive effect, preventing the decrease in mitochondrial mass exerted by HFD. Altogether, our results indicate that in the context of an obesogenic diet, sucralose has a beneficial effect at the organismal and hepatic levels.

La sucralosa promueve la polarización a macrófagos proinflamatorios M1

RESUMEN La sucralosa es un edulcorante no calórico de amplio consumo a nivel mundial, es considerado como un aditivo seguro, debido a que es eliminado en periodos cortos de tiempo. Recientemente se evidenció su bioacumulación en tejido adiposo, donde se encuentran inmersos macrófagos, células del sistema inmune involucradas en el desarrollo de la inflamación sistémica de bajo grado. A la fecha, no se cuenta con suficiente información para demostrar si los edulcorantes potencian los procesos inflamatorios alterando la función de células presentes en tejido y/o contribuyen en el desarrollo de patologías metabólicas. Por lo anterior, en nuestro trabajo se evaluó el efecto de la sucralosa en la viabilidad de los macrófagos diferenciados de la línea celular monocítica THP-1, por azul de tripán y ensayos de MTT, así como su efecto en la polarización M1/M2 por PCR según la expresión de IRF4, IRF5, STAT1, STAT6, perfil de expresión de IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-10 y SOCS3 por qPCR, y la cuantificación de la quimiocina IP-10 por ELISA. Los resultados indicaron que la sucralosa no tiene efectos citotóxicos, pero disminuye el número de células viables metabólicamente activas determinadas por MTT de manera dependiente de la concentración. La sucralosa incrementa la concentración de la quimiocina IP-10 y la expresión génica del factor de transcripción IRF5 y disminuye la expresión de IRF4 y STAT6, favoreciendo la polarización hacia poblaciones M1. La bioacumulación de sucralosa en tejido adiposo, y su interacción con macrófagos, podría inducir su polarización a M1.

ABSTRACT Sucralose is a non-nutritive sweetener widely consumed worldwide; it is considered a safe additive because it is eliminated quickly. Recently its bioaccumulation in adipose tissue was evidenced, where macrophages, cells of the immune system involved in developing low-grade systemic inflammation, are found. To date, there is a paucity of information regarding whether sweeteners potentiate inflammatory processes by altering the function of cells present in tissue and/or contribute to the development of metabolic pathologies. We evaluate the effect of sucralose on the viability of differentiated macrophages of the monocytic cell line THP-1, by trypan blue and MTT assays, respectively, as well as its effect on M1/ M2 by PCR according to the expression of IRF4, IRF5, STAT1, STAT6, expression profile of IL6, IL-12, TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-10 and SOCS3 by qPCR, and the quantification of the chemokine IP-10 by ELISE. The results indicated that sucralose has no cytotoxic effects but decreases the number of metabolically active viable cells determined by MTT of macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. Sucralose increased the concentration of the chemokine IP-10 and the gene expression of the transcription factors IRF5 and decreased the expression of IRF4 and STAT 6 gene expression, favoring polarization towards M1 populations. The bioaccumulation of sucralose in adipose tissue, and its interaction with macrophages, could induce its polarization to M1.

The convolutional neural network as a tool to classify electroencephalography data resulting from the consumption of juice sweetened with caloric or non-caloric sweeteners.

Sweetener type can influence sensory properties and consumer's acceptance and preference for low-calorie products. An ideal sweetener does not exist, and each sweetener must be used in situations to which it is best suited. Aspartame and sucralose can be good substitutes for sucrose in passion fruit juice. Despite the interest in artificial sweeteners, little is known about how artificial sweeteners are processed in the human brain. Here, we applied the convolutional neural network (CNN) to evaluate brain signals of 11 healthy subjects when they tasted passion fruit juice equivalently sweetened with sucrose (9.4 g/100 g), sucralose (0.01593 g/100 g), or aspartame (0.05477 g/100 g). Electroencephalograms were recorded for two sites in the gustatory cortex (i.e., C3 and C4). Data with artifacts were disregarded, and the artifact-free data were used to feed a Deep Neural Network with tree branches that applied a Convolutions and pooling for different feature filtering and selection. The CNN received raw signal as input for multiclass classification and with supervised training was able to extract underling features and patterns from the signal with better performance than handcrafted filters like FFT. Our results indicated that CNN is an useful tool for electroencephalography (EEG) analyses and classification of perceptually similar tastes.

Is a Non-Caloric Sweetener-Free Diet Good to Treat Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder Symptoms? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: A diet containing non-caloric sweeteners (NCS) could reduce calorie intake; conversely, some animal studies suggest that NCS consumption may increase functional gastrointestinal disorder symptoms (FGDs). This study aimed to compare the effect of consuming a diet containing NCS (c-NCS) versus a non-caloric sweetener-free diet (NCS-f) on FGDs. Methods: We conducted a randomized, controlled, parallel-group study using two different diets for five weeks: the c-NCS diet contained 50−100 mg/day NCS, whereas the NCS-f diet had less than 10 mg/day NCS. At the beginning of the study (PreTx) and at the end (PostTx), we assessed FGDs, dietary intake, and NCS consumption. Results: The percentage of participants with diarrhea (PreTx = 19% vs. PstTx = 56%; p = 0.02), post-prandial discomfort (PreTx = 9% vs. PstTx = 39%; p = 0.02), constipation (PreTx = 30% vs. PostTx = 56%; p < 0.01), and burning (PreTx = 13% vs. PostTx = 33%; p < 0.01) increased in the c-NCS diet group. Conversely, abdominal pain (PreTx = 15% vs. PostTx = 3%; p = 0.04), post-prandial discomfort (PreTx = 26% vs. PostTx = 6%; p = 0.02), burning (PreTx = 15% vs. PostTx = 0%; p = 0.02), early satiety (PreTx = 18% vs. PostTx = 3%; p < 0.01), and epigastric pain (PreTx = 38% vs. PostTx = 3%; p < 0.01) decreased in the NCS-f diet group. Conclusion: A c-NCS diet is associated with increased FGDs, including diarrhea, post-prandial discomfort, constipation, and burning or retrosternal pain. The NCS-f diet also decreased FGDs, as well as abdominal pain, post-prandial discomfort, burning or retrosternal pain, early satiety, and epigastric pain.

Ten-Week Sucralose Consumption Induces Gut Dysbiosis and Altered Glucose and Insulin Levels in Healthy Young Adults.

Sucralose consumption alters microbiome and carbohydrate metabolism in mouse models. However, there are no conclusive studies in humans. Our goals were to examine the effect of sucralose consumption on the intestinal abundance of bacterial species belonging to Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes and explore potential associations between microbiome profiles and glucose and insulin blood levels in healthy young adults. In this open-label clinical trial, volunteers randomly drank water, as a control (n = 20), or 48 mg sucralose (n = 20), every day for ten weeks. At the beginning and the end of the study, participants were subjected to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to measure serum glucose and insulin every 15 min for 3 h and provided fecal samples to assess gut microbiota using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Sucralose intake altered the abundance of Firmicutes without affecting Actinobacteria or Bacteroidetes. Two-way ANOVA revealed that volunteers drinking sucralose for ten weeks showed a 3-fold increase in Blautia coccoides and a 0.66-fold decrease in Lactobacillus acidophilus compared to the controls. Sucralose consumption increased serum insulin and the area under the glucose curve compared to water. Long-term sucralose ingestion induces gut dysbiosis associated with altered insulin and glucose levels during an OGTT.

Sources of microbial contamination in the watershed and coastal zone of Soufriere, St. Lucia.

The Sustainable Development Goal 6 calls for global progress by 2030 in treating domestic wastewater and providing access to adequate sanitation facilities. However, meeting these goals will be a challenge for most Small Island Developing States, including Caribbean island nations. In the nearshore zone of the Soufriere region on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, there is a history of high levels of bacteria of fecal origin. Possible land-based sources of microbial contamination in the Soufriere Bay include discharges from the Soufriere River and transport of wastewater, including fecal material from the town of Soufriere. This area is an important tourist destination and supports a local fishery. To identify the sources of microbial contamination in Soufriere Bay, a range of monitoring methods were employed in this study. In grab samples of surface water collected from the Soufriere River, counts of total coliforms and Escherichia coli were elevated above water quality guidelines. However, the spikes in concentrations of these indicator organisms in the river did not necessarily coincide with the spikes in the levels of total coliforms and E. coli detected in samples collected on the same dates in Soufriere Bay, indicating that there are other sources of pollution in the Bay besides discharges from the river. Monitoring for chemical indicators of wastewater (i.e., caffeine, sucralose, fluconazole) in the Soufriere River indicated that there are inputs of sewage or human fecal material throughout the watershed. However, analysis of Bacteroidales 16S rRNA genetic markers for fecal bacteria originating from humans, bovine ruminants, or other warm-blooded animals indicated that the majority of microbial contamination in the river was not from humans. Monitoring for chemical indicators of wastewater using passive samplers deployed in Soufriere Bay indicated that there are two "hot spots" of contamination located offshore of economically depressed areas of the town of Soufriere. This study indicates that efforts to control contamination of Soufriere Bay by fecal microorganisms must include management of pollution originating from both sewage and domestic animals in the watershed.

Low- and no-calorie sweetener intakes in the Brazilian population estimated using added sugar substitution modelling.

This research examined the intakes of six low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) (acesulfame-K, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, steviol glycosides, and sucralose) by the Brazilian population using an added sugar substitution approach. Detailed exposure modelling requires the use of proprietary concentration data, which can be difficult to obtain. Two exposure models were conducted using nationally representative food consumption data. The first model ('per person') estimated added sugar intakes on an individual person basis, replacing 50% of added sugar intakes >10% total energy with each LNCS considering sucrose sweetness equivalence. The second model ('per food') replaced 50% of the added sugar content in foods and beverages with each LNCS, incorporating sucrose sweetness equivalence and Brazilian tonnage data. Both models predicted that intakes would be below the JECFA ADI for five of the six LNCS in all population groups examined (≥10 years) for average and heavy consumers. For cyclamate, exceedance of the ADI was determined for all age groups amongst heavy consumers in the 'per person' model, while estimated intakes in the 'per food' model were below or reached the ADI for the cohort. Additional research is needed for younger age groups to confirm whether these findings are applicable to the entire Brazilian population.

Screening level intake estimates of low and no-calorie sweeteners in Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

As obesity rates increase, several countries in Latin America have implemented strategies to curb the consumption of sugars, resulting in reformulations of products with low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS). The increased availability of LNCS-containing products raises concerns about the potential risk of exceeding the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Information on the intake of LNCS among Latin American countries are limited by the lack of publicly available national consumption data. Using the Budget Method, screening level intake estimates of six LNCS (acesulfame potassium, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, steviol glycosides, and sucralose) were derived for Argentina, Chile, and Peru based on national sales data and product labels. Four tiered assessments were conducted where assumption of LNCS use ranged from the most conservative Tier 1 to the more refined yet conservative LNCS use and concentrations in subsequent tiers. The estimated intakes, applicable to the total population as well as children, were below their ADIs for all tiers. For Tier 2 where average LNCS concentrations were assumed present in all LNCS-containing products, intakes were <60% of the ADI. Estimates for the more refined tiers were comparable to published estimates based on select subpopulations in these countries, validating the approach used in this study.

Effects of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on Energy Intake, Body Weight and Postprandial Glycemia in Healthy and with Altered Glycemic Response Rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) consumption on energy intake, body weight and postprandial glycemia in healthy and with altered glycemic response rats. Animals on normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) were divided to receive NNS (sucralose, aspartame, stevia, rebaudioside A) or nutritive sweeteners (glucose, sucrose) for 8 weeks. The NNS were administered at doses equivalent to the human acceptable daily intake (ADI). A test using rapidly digestible starch was performed before and after treatments to estimate glycemic response. No effects of NNS consumption were observed on energy intake or body weight. Sucrose provoked an increased fluid consumption, however, energy intake, and weight gain were not altered. In ND, no effects of NNS on glycemic response were observed. In HFD, the glycemic response was increased after sucralose and stevia when only the final tolerance test was considered, however, after including the baseline test, these results were no longer significant compared to glucose. These findings provide further evidence suggesting that at the recommended doses, NNS do not alter feeding behavior, body weight or glycemic tolerance in healthy and with altered glycemic rats.

Intake of low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) by the Brazilian population.

Estimated intake of six low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) (acesulfame potassium, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, steviol glycosides and sucralose) from processed foods and beverages, as well as from tabletop sweeteners uses, by the Brazilian population were derived and compared to the respective Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). The estimates were based on dietary consumption data from a nationwide cross-sectional survey conducted by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) in 2008-2009 and LNCS use rates and associated market share information based on data provided by Brazilian industry members. Two intake scenarios were considered: a conservative brand loyal consumer scenario that assumes all LNCS-containing foods and beverages and tabletop sweeteners contain the maximum reported LNCS concentrations (Scenario A) and a scenario representative of the general consumer population that uses a market share weighted average of the reported concentrations (Scenario B). Intake estimates were derived for the total Brazilian population (age 10 + y), and for the subpopulations of adolescents (10-18y), adults (19-59y), and older adults (60 + y). Intake of LNCS up to the 95th percentile did not exceed their respective ADI for all subpopulations considered, in either the general consumer scenario or the brand loyal scenario. Among consumers age 10 + y, the 95th percentile intakes of the various LNCS ranged from 6.8% to 54% of their respective ADI for the brand loyal scenario and from <1% to 6.0% of their respective ADIs for the general consumer scenario.