In Europe, two-thirds of people claim they are trying to lower their sugar intake, New Nutrition Business found in recent consumer research. Sugar now occupies the place of the dietary demon that fat occupied 20 years ago, emphasised Julian Mellentin, Food and Beverage Consultant, at the insight provider.
Public health communicators have vociferously advocated against food products that are high in sugar and the consumption of which has been linked to the pandemic of dietary related non-communicable diseases sweeping western markets, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Internationally, Europe now has the highest number of food and drink launches with low or no added sugar labelling. Juice drinks, snacks, sugar and gum confectionery lead the way in terms of categories containing such claims.
This reflects the approach adopted by many within the food sector, which is focused on developing products that contain less refined sugar but which also retain the taste and mouthfeel shoppers are accustomed to.
Reformulation appears to be broadly supported by regulators also.In the UK and Ireland, for instance, a sugar tax on soft drinks was introduced in 2018. Public Health England also set out a goal to reduce 20% of sugar from the food industry by 2020 from the baseline set in 2015.
However, Meleni Aldridge, executive coordinator at the Alliance for Natural Health, argues that the addition of sweeteners to food formulations are actually part of the obesity problem not the solution.
In an article published by the Alliance for Natural Health, Aldridge cites the selfish brain theory, which suggests that brain occupies a special hierarchical position when it comes to the regulation of energy supply.
In short, Aldridge argued the brain is tricked into expecting a higher energy intake when products made with artificial sweeteners are consumed. This, she suggests, actually creates a negative feedback loop that results in cravings and higher calorie consumption.
Glucose is the reference for the sensory area of the hypothalamus that tells you when youre satiated (full). Glucose is less sweet than sucrose or fructose, having a sweetness factor (a measure of relative sweetness) of 0.7, as compared with 1.0 for sucrose and 1.2 for fructose. Dietary carbohydrates, such as glucose and fructose, yield the same energy; about 4 kcal of energy for every 1 g.
Throughout evolution the brain has become accustomed to the fact that the sweeter a food, the more calories its likely to yield. So its adapted to expect more calories from sweet foods. Non-nutritive sweeteners available today (saccharin, aspartame, stevia, sorbitol and xylitol to name a few) pack an enormous wallop of sweetness, but no calorific reward to go with it. This creates a situation in which the brain is literally expectant and never reaches satiety, creating cravings to keep eating.
This conclusion was perhaps unsurprisingly rebuffed by ingredient supplier Tate & Lyle, which produces a range of reformulation solutions for food industry customers.
The evidence does not support this suggestion. Research shows that high-intensity or low calorie sweeteners do not increase hunger, nor create a desire for more sweet food, and therefore do not lead to weight gain, Kavita Karnik, vice president of global nutrition and open innovation at Tate & Lyle, insisted.
Indeed, Karnik was quick to emphasise the beneficial role that sweeteners can play in weight control.Research shows that high-intensity/low-calorie sweeteners can satisfy a desire for sweetness without the calorie intake that comes with sugar. They can therefore help people maintain a balanced diet and control their weight, she told FoodNavigator.
The characteristics of low calorie sweeteners also play an important role for diabetics. In particular, high intensity sweeteners have no impact on blood glucose and insulin levels, which means they can help those diagnosed with, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes avoid dangerous blood sugar spikes without having to completely give up sweet foods.
Health organisations all over the world endorse replacing sugar with sweeteners to those with type 2 diabetes and we believe that reformulating food to reduce sugar content can play an important role in tackling the growing public health challenges linked to diabetes and obesity, the nutrition expert argued argued.
Like Karnik, Dr Simon Steenson, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, suggested that low or no calorie sweeteners can play a role in weight management as well as preventing issues like tooth decay.
Substituting foods and drinks with sugar for those containing low or no calorie sweeteners may be a helpful way to reduce overall calorie intake, and assist with weight management, especially for people who have a taste preference for sweeter foods.
But he is also quick to stress there is no single silver bullet that can solve the problem of obesity. There are many underlying causes of obesity, and the use of sweeteners will not solve the obesity crisis alone.
It is important to remember that this is only one part of achieving a healthier, more balanced diet. Trying to cut down on other calorie-dense foods high in fat, such as crisps or fried foods, and being aware of the size of food portions that we eat, can also help us to avoid eating more calories than are needed. When it comes to staying a healthy weight, keeping active can also help with weight management, and has many other health benefits.
Dr Steenson told FoodNavigator that the current state of public debate around sweeteners is not helpful for consumers, who are left confused by contradictory messages.
There is often inconsistent and contradictory information in the media around the safety and health effects of low or no calorie sweeteners, which can cause confusion among consumers, he observed.
But much of this mixed messaging stems from the fact that the science itself is currently inconclusive. On the one hand, the safety of low- and no-calorie sweeteners has clearly been established. But on the other there is some albeit currently weak evidence that they could be associated with obesity, Dr Steenson explained.
Scientific review of the safety of low- and no-calorie sweeteners used in food and drink products has shown that they are safe, including for children and pregnant women, and current average levels of intake are below the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) levels set by the European Food Safety Authority.
Consumption of low- or no-calorie sweeteners has been linked to negative health effects, such as weight gain and type 2 diabetes. Although the evidence for these effects is weak at present, and may be complicated by confounders for example, people who are already overweight may be more likely to choose diet drinks, rather than diet drinks themselves actually leading to weight gain.
The answer, he suggested, is additional research that can shed light on a controversial topic. Well-planned studies are needed to further investigate these associations, and it is important that the science on the long-term effects of low- or no-calorie sweeteners continues to be reviewed.
See the rest here:
Do low-calorie sweeteners make you fat? Controversy and confusion over the role of high-intensity - FoodNavigator.com
- Hypothalamus - Your Hormones - December 5th, 2017 [December 5th, 2017]
- Depression and Your Hypothalamus | Dr. Lauren Deville ... - December 18th, 2017 [December 18th, 2017]
- HPA Axis Dysfunction | Adrenal Fatigue Solution - December 18th, 2017 [December 18th, 2017]
- Hypothalamus Disorders - December 18th, 2017 [December 18th, 2017]
- Hypothalamus | Hypothalamus Gland - Sleep Disorders Guide - January 12th, 2018 [January 12th, 2018]
- Hunger Motivation AP Psychology Community - January 22nd, 2018 [January 22nd, 2018]
- Hypothalamus | Endocrine Awareness Center for Health - March 4th, 2018 [March 4th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus Function, Definition & Location | Body Maps - March 7th, 2018 [March 7th, 2018]
- What is Circadian Rhythm? - National Sleep Foundation - March 29th, 2018 [March 29th, 2018]
- Location of the Hypothalamus | HHMI BioInteractive - March 30th, 2018 [March 30th, 2018]
- What is Hypothalamus, Parts of Hypothalamus with Pictures - May 31st, 2018 [May 31st, 2018]
- Arcuate nucleus - Wikipedia - June 17th, 2018 [June 17th, 2018]
- Ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus - Wikipedia - June 26th, 2018 [June 26th, 2018]
- Lateral hypothalamus - Wikipedia - July 30th, 2018 [July 30th, 2018]
- Paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus - Wikipedia - August 6th, 2018 [August 6th, 2018]
- Hypothalamic disease - Wikipedia - August 23rd, 2018 [August 23rd, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Scholarpedia - September 8th, 2018 [September 8th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus | Definition of Hypothalamus by Merriam-Webster - September 8th, 2018 [September 8th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Function ... - September 20th, 2018 [September 20th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Radiology - September 20th, 2018 [September 20th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Anatomy, Nuclei and Function | Kenhub - October 5th, 2018 [October 5th, 2018]
- How does the hypothalamus control appetite? | Endocrine ... - October 13th, 2018 [October 13th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus: The Body's Thermostat | Ask A Biologist - November 9th, 2018 [November 9th, 2018]
- Thalamus - Wikipedia - November 9th, 2018 [November 9th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus Hormones | Function of the Hypothalamus Gland - December 12th, 2018 [December 12th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - New World Encyclopedia - December 12th, 2018 [December 12th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus | Psychology Wiki | FANDOM powered by Wikia - December 12th, 2018 [December 12th, 2018]
- Stria terminalis - Wikipedia - December 19th, 2018 [December 19th, 2018]
- Functions, Hypothalamus Hormones and Disorders - Health Jade - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus | You and Your Hormones from the Society for ... - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Wikipedia - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- hypothalamus | Definition, Anatomy, & Function | Britannica.com - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- hypothalamus | Definition, Anatomy, & Function ... - December 27th, 2018 [December 27th, 2018]
- Hypothalamus - Function, Hormones, and Structure - March 7th, 2019 [March 7th, 2019]
- 6 Natural Ways to Boost Hypothalamus Function - Dr. Axe - March 10th, 2019 [March 10th, 2019]
- HYPOTHALAMUS | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary - March 18th, 2019 [March 18th, 2019]
- Adrenal Cortical Hormones and Derivatives Market Analysis Of Growth, Trends Progress And Challenges Till Upcoming Year - QbnNews - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Narcolepsy Treatment Market: Worldwide Prospects, Share, Crucial Players, Size, Competitive Breakdown and Regional Forecast 2025 - Analytics News - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Progress Toward Diagnosis and Treatment, Finally? - American Council on Science and Health - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment Market to be at Forefront by 2017 2025 - NewsVarsity - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Saniona reports positive Tesomet Phase 2a clinical results in adolescent patients with Prader-Willi syndrome - GlobeNewswire - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- How Bullying May Shape Adolescent Brains - thesuntimesnews.com - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Nasal spray could help control appetite, burn fat and reduce weight - ScienceBlog.com - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- High Fat Foods Likely To Affect Hypothalamus In Brain - Market Research Diary - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- High-fat diets change your brain, not just your body - Big Think - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Two Studies Fail to Replicate Magnetogenetics Research - The Scientist - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- Brain Pathway That Lets Us Forget 'Unnecessary Memories' Found - News18 - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- While You're Sound Asleep, Your Brain Removes 'Unnecessary' Memories - Interesting Engineering - September 22nd, 2019 [September 22nd, 2019]
- 9 ways to improve your brain fitness - INTHEBLACK - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Biological Weathering and Its Deadly Effect on Black Mothers - Self - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Depression: The new-found friend of people who work in shifts - TheHealthSite - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Exploring the stress-mood-appetite connection - Baylor College of Medicine News - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Curious Kids: why does my older sister not want to play LEGO with me anymore and stays in her room? - The Conversation AU - October 5th, 2019 [October 5th, 2019]
- Current advances in research in treatment and recovery: Nicotine addiction - Science Advances - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Advances in understanding addiction treatment and recovery - Science Advances - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- The link between stress and depression and the 10 simple words that could help - The Guardian - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Stress Is Killing You For Real! Here is How to Deal with It - The DC Post - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Mother Nature's Little Blue Pill? The Science of Cannabis and Sex - L.A. Weekly - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Caltech And Allen Institute Scientists Discover Distinctive Sex-Specific Brain Cells In Mice - International Business Times - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Gender-Specific Brain Cells Have Just Been Discovered Inside The Brains of Mice - ScienceAlert - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Why Food Tastes Better When Were Hungry Researchers Find Neural Circuit in the Hypothalamus - SciTechDaily - October 18th, 2019 [October 18th, 2019]
- Global SomatostatinAnalogs Market Report to Share Key Aspects of the Industry with the details of Influence Factors - Market Research Writeup - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- 'Below Deck': Why Is Drinking Alcohol in Thailand Getting the Crew and Guests so Drunk? - Showbiz Cheat Sheet - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- Research Fellow - School of Biological Sciences job with UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN | 183890 - Times Higher Education (THE) - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- Study: Why Food Tastes Better When You're Hungry - International Business Times - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- Overeating may change the brain - WNDU-TV - October 21st, 2019 [October 21st, 2019]
- Can a new generation of weight-loss drugs finally help patients win at the losing game? - National Post - October 27th, 2019 [October 27th, 2019]
- Mood food: On the effect of diet on depression - Telegraph India - October 27th, 2019 [October 27th, 2019]
- Alternative approach to understanding consciousness may crack the mystery - Inverse - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Daylight saving time is bad for your health Read now - Massive Science - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Melania Trump visits hospital's 'cuddle' program for babies exposed to opioids in the womb - Yahoo Lifestyle - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Seasonal Affective Disorder: How the weather can cause 'hibernation' - BBC News - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Melania Trump visits hospital's 'cuddle' program for babies exposed to opioids in the womb - msnNOW - November 8th, 2019 [November 8th, 2019]
- Is sexual orientation genetic? Yes and no, an extensive study finds - Haaretz - November 18th, 2019 [November 18th, 2019]
- The problem of depression increases in winter, follow these steps to avoid it - News Track English - November 18th, 2019 [November 18th, 2019]
- A good night's sleep is a priority everything else comes after - The Badger Herald - November 18th, 2019 [November 18th, 2019]
- Exactly what and when to eat before and after a workout, according to a dietitian - Evening Standard - November 18th, 2019 [November 18th, 2019]
- From winter vagina to heart attacks and bad skin the 8 health dangers of cold weather - The Sun - December 8th, 2019 [December 8th, 2019]
- Researchers discover why youre skipping the gym for Netflix and sleep - The CEO Magazine - December 8th, 2019 [December 8th, 2019]
- 'Small things every day' can retrain your brain to cope with stress - Stuff.co.nz - December 8th, 2019 [December 8th, 2019]