Effect of high levels of intense sweetener intake in insulin dependent diabetics on the ratio of dietary sugar to fat: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the influence of intense sweetener consumption on nutrient intakes in insulin dependent diabetics compared to controls.


METHODS
Case-control food consumption survey.


METHODS
Dietary data were collected from individuals in Ireland between 1998 and 1999.


METHODS
Diabetics were recruited through diabetic outpatient departments of St. James's Hospital Dublin. Controls were friends of the patients or staff/students of Trinity College and University College Dublin. Of the 171 diabetics contacted, 122 agreed to participate (70% response rate) and 119 completed the study.


METHODS
In all, 3-day food diaries were used to collect the food consumption data.


METHODS
Fat--sugar seesaw, intense sweetness.


RESULTS
Patients had significantly higher % energy from starch, lower % energy from sugars and a high intake of fibre compared to controls. In both groups, there was an inverse relationship between % energy from fat and % en from sugar, with the diabetics at the lower level of sugar intake. A score of intense sweetness intakes was computed and across tertiles of this score, there were no significant effects on macronutrient intakes.


CONCLUSIONS
The fat-sugar seesaw present in the diabetic group was at a lower level compared to the control group. A high intake of intense sweeteners does not have a detrimental effect on macronutrient and micronutrient intakes.
Cullen
M
M
Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. mcullen@fsai.ie
Nolan
J
J
Cullen
M
M
Moloney
M
M
Kearney
J
J
Lambe
J
J
Gibney
M J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D015930:Diet Records; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D004041:Dietary Fats; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D018977:Micronutrients; D013549:Sweetening Agents