title: Understanding the metabolic and health effects of low-calorie sweeteners: methodological considerations and implications for future research.
abstract: Consumption of foods, beverages, and packets containing low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) has increased markedly across gender, age, race/ethnicity, weight status, and socio-economic subgroups. However, well-controlled intervention studies rigorously evaluating the health effects of LCS in humans are limited. One of the key questions is whether LCS are indeed a beneficial strategy for weight management and prevention of obesity. The current review discusses several methodological considerations in the design and interpretation of these studies. Specifically, we focus on the selection of study participants, inclusion of an appropriate control, importance of considering habitual LCS exposure, selection of specific LCS, dose and route of LCS administration, choice of study outcomes, and the context and generalizability of the study findings. These critical considerations will guide the design of future studies and thus assist in understanding the health effects of LCS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.|Section on Pediatric Diabetes and Metabolism, NIDDK, NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 10, Room 8C432A, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Allison C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sylvetsky
authors.affiliation: Section on Pediatric Diabetes and Metabolism, NIDDK, NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 10, Room 8C432A, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Jenny E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Blau
authors.affiliation: Section on Pediatric Diabetes and Metabolism, NIDDK, NIH, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 10, Room 8C432A, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA. kristina.rother@nih.gov.
authors.forename: Kristina I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Rother
mesh_terms: D000068456:Clinical Studies as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013549:Sweetening Agents
keywords: Artificial sweeteners; Beverages; Diet soda; Low-calorie sweeteners; Metabolism; Obesity; Study design; Weight