Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners

NNNS: Effect on Appetite and Food Intake (2011)

Aspartame and Appetite/Food Intake

• Intervention
  In adults, does using foods or beverages with aspartame affect appetite or food intake?

  • Conclusion

    There is good evidence that aspartame does not affect appetite or food intake.

  • Grade: I
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: In adults, does using foods or beverages with aspartame affect appetite or food intake?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Beridot-Therond ME, Arts I, Fantino M, De La Gueronniere V.  Short-term effects of the flavor of drinks on ingestive behaviors in man. Appetite. 1998 Aug; 31(1) : 67-81.
      • Beridot-Therond ME, Arts I, Fantino M, De La Gueronniere V.  Short-term effects of the flavor of drinks on ingestive behaviors in man. Appetite. 1998 Aug; 31(1) : 67-81.
      • Black RM et al. Soft drinks with aspartame: effect on subjective hunger, food selection, and food intake of young adult males. Physiology and Behavior, 1991, vol. 49 803-810.
      • Black RM et al. Soft drinks with aspartame: effect on subjective hunger, food selection, and food intake of young adult males. Physiology and Behavior, 1991, vol. 49 803-810.
      • Black RM et al. Consuming aspartame with and without taste: differential effects on appetite and food intake of young adult males. Physiol Behavior. 1993 March 53; (4) 459-66.
      • Black RM et al. Consuming aspartame with and without taste: differential effects on appetite and food intake of young adult males. Physiol Behavior. 1993 March 53; (4) 459-66.
      • Blackburn GL et al, The effect of aspartame as part of a multidisciplinary weight-control program on short- and long-term control of body weight, Am J Clin Nutr. 1997:65:409-18.
      • Blackburn GL et al, The effect of aspartame as part of a multidisciplinary weight-control program on short- and long-term control of body weight, Am J Clin Nutr. 1997:65:409-18.
      • Butchko H et al, Aspartame: review of safety. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2002 Apr; 35 (2 Pt. 2): S1-93. Evaluation of appetite, food intake, and usefulness of aspartame in weight control (S83-87).
      • Butchko H et al, Aspartame: review of safety. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2002 Apr; 35 (2 Pt. 2): S1-93. Evaluation of appetite, food intake, and usefulness of aspartame in weight control (S83-87).
      • Butchko HH, Stargel WW, Comer CP, Mayhew DA, Benninger C, Blackburn GL, de Sonneville LM, Geha RS, Hertelendy Z, Koestner A, Leon AS, Liepa GU, McMartin KE, Mendenhall CL, Munro IC, Novotny EJ, Renwick AG, Schiffman SS, Schomer DL, Shaywitz BA, Spiers PA, Tephly TR, Thomas JA, Trefz FK. Aspartame: review of safety. "Intake of Aspartame vs Acceptable Daily Intake" Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2002 Apr;35(2 Pt 2):S1-93.
      • Butchko HH, Stargel WW, Comer CP, Mayhew DA, Benninger C, Blackburn GL, de Sonneville LM, Geha RS, Hertelendy Z, Koestner A, Leon AS, Liepa GU, McMartin KE, Mendenhall CL, Munro IC, Novotny EJ, Renwick AG, Schiffman SS, Schomer DL, Shaywitz BA, Spiers PA, Tephly TR, Thomas JA, Trefz FK. Aspartame: review of safety. "Intake of Aspartame vs Acceptable Daily Intake" Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2002 Apr;35(2 Pt 2):S1-93.
      • Canty DJ, Chan MM. Effects of consumption of caloric vs. non caloric sweet drinks on indices of hunger and food consumption in normal adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 1991; 53: 1159-64.
      • Canty DJ, Chan MM. Effects of consumption of caloric vs. non caloric sweet drinks on indices of hunger and food consumption in normal adults. Am J Clin Nutr. 1991; 53: 1159-64.
      • Drewnowski A et al. Comparing the effects of aspartame and sucrose on motivational ratings, taste preferences, and energy intakes in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994; 59:338-45.
      • Drewnowski A et al. Comparing the effects of aspartame and sucrose on motivational ratings, taste preferences, and energy intakes in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994; 59:338-45.
      • Kanders BS et al, An evaluation of the effect of aspartame on Weight Loss. Appetite, 1988; 11, supplement 73-84.
      • Kanders BS et al, An evaluation of the effect of aspartame on Weight Loss. Appetite, 1988; 11, supplement 73-84.
      • Klein DA, Schebendach JE, Brown AJ, Smith GP, Walsh BT. Modified sham feeding of sweet solutions in women with and without bulimia nervosa. Physiol Behav. 2009; 96(1): 44-50. 
      • Klein DA, Schebendach JE, Brown AJ, Smith GP, Walsh BT. Modified sham feeding of sweet solutions in women with and without bulimia nervosa. Physiol Behav. 2009; 96(1): 44-50. 
      • Lapierre KA, Greenblatt DJ, Goddard JE, Harmatz JS, Shader RI. The neuropsychiatric effects of aspartame in normal volunteers. J Clin Pharmacol. 1990; 30 (5): 454-460.
        
      • Lapierre KA, Greenblatt DJ, Goddard JE, Harmatz JS, Shader RI. The neuropsychiatric effects of aspartame in normal volunteers. J Clin Pharmacol. 1990; 30 (5): 454-460.
        
      • Lavin JH et al. The effect of sucrose-and aspartame-sweetened drinks on energy intake, hunger and food choice of female, moderately restrained eaters. International Journal of Obestiy. 1997; 21, 37-42.
      • Lavin JH et al. The effect of sucrose-and aspartame-sweetened drinks on energy intake, hunger and food choice of female, moderately restrained eaters. International Journal of Obestiy. 1997; 21, 37-42.
      • Mattes R. Effects of Aspartame and Sucrose on Hunger and Energy Intake in humans. Physiology and Behavior, 1990, vol. 47, 1,037-1,044.
      • Mattes R. Effects of Aspartame and Sucrose on Hunger and Energy Intake in humans. Physiology and Behavior, 1990, vol. 47, 1,037-1,044.
      • Rodin J. Comparative effects of fructose, aspartame, glucose, and water preloads on calorie and macronutrient and macronutrient intake. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990; 51: 428-435
      • Rodin J. Comparative effects of fructose, aspartame, glucose, and water preloads on calorie and macronutrient and macronutrient intake. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990; 51: 428-435
      • Rogers PJ, Pleming HC, Blundell JE. Aspartame ingested without tasting inhibits hunger and food intake. Physiol Behav. 1990 Jun; 47(6): 1,239-1,243.
      • Rogers PJ, Pleming HC, Blundell JE. Aspartame ingested without tasting inhibits hunger and food intake. Physiol Behav. 1990 Jun; 47(6): 1,239-1,243.
      • Rogers PJ, Keedwell P, Blundell JE. Further analysis of the short-term inhibition of food intake in humans by the dipeptide L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (aspartame). Physiol Behav. 1991 Apr; 49(4): 739-743.
      • Rogers PJ, Keedwell P, Blundell JE. Further analysis of the short-term inhibition of food intake in humans by the dipeptide L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester (aspartame). Physiol Behav. 1991 Apr; 49(4): 739-743.
      • Rogers PJ, Carlyle JA, Hill AJ, Blundell JE. Uncoupling sweet taste and calories: Comparison of the effects of glucose and three intense sweeteners on hunger and food intake. Physiol Behav. 1988; 43 (5): 547-552.
      • Rogers PJ, Carlyle JA, Hill AJ, Blundell JE. Uncoupling sweet taste and calories: Comparison of the effects of glucose and three intense sweeteners on hunger and food intake. Physiol Behav. 1988; 43 (5): 547-552.
      • Rogers PJ, Blundell JE. Reanalysis of the effects of phenylalanine, alanine, and aspartame on food intake in human subjects. Physiol Behav. 1994 Aug; 56(2): 247-250.
      • Rogers PJ, Blundell JE. Reanalysis of the effects of phenylalanine, alanine, and aspartame on food intake in human subjects. Physiol Behav. 1994 Aug; 56(2): 247-250.
      • Rogers PJ, Burley VJ, Alikhanizadeh LA, Blundell JE.  Postingestive inhibition of food intake by aspartame: importance of interval between aspartame administration and subsequent eating. Physiol Behav. 1995, Mar; 57 (3): 489-493. PMID: 7753886.
      • Rogers PJ, Burley VJ, Alikhanizadeh LA, Blundell JE.  Postingestive inhibition of food intake by aspartame: importance of interval between aspartame administration and subsequent eating. Physiol Behav. 1995, Mar; 57 (3): 489-493. PMID: 7753886.
      • Rolls BJ, Laster LJ, Summerfelt A. Hunger and food intake following consumption of low-calorie foods. Appetite. 1989 Oct; 13 (2): 115-27.
        
      • Rolls BJ, Laster LJ, Summerfelt A. Hunger and food intake following consumption of low-calorie foods. Appetite. 1989 Oct; 13 (2): 115-27.
        
      • Rolls BJ, Kim S, Fedoroff IC. Effects of drinks sweetened with sucrose or aspartame on hunger, thirst and food intake in men. Physiol Behav. 1990 Jul; 48 (1): 19-26.
      • Rolls BJ, Kim S, Fedoroff IC. Effects of drinks sweetened with sucrose or aspartame on hunger, thirst and food intake in men. Physiol Behav. 1990 Jul; 48 (1): 19-26.
      • Ryan-Harshman M, Leiter LA, Anderson H. Phenylalanine and aspartame fail to alter feeding behavior, mood and arousal in men. Physiology and Behavior. 1987; 39(2): 247-253.
      • Ryan-Harshman M, Leiter LA, Anderson H. Phenylalanine and aspartame fail to alter feeding behavior, mood and arousal in men. Physiology and Behavior. 1987; 39(2): 247-253.
      • Tordoff MG, Alleva AM, Effect of drinking soda sweetened with aspartame or high-fructose corn syrup on food intake and body weight. Am J Clin Nutr 1990; 51:963-9.
      • Tordoff MG, Alleva AM, Effect of drinking soda sweetened with aspartame or high-fructose corn syrup on food intake and body weight. Am J Clin Nutr 1990; 51:963-9.
  • Search Plan and Results: NNNS: Aspartame, Appetite and Intake 2008
     
  In children, does using foods or beverages with aspartame affect appetite or food intake?

  • Conclusion

    Limited evidence indicates that aspartame consumption affects appetite or food intake in children.

    The 2009 update did not find new studies meeting the inclusion criteria for this question and the N&NNS workgroup (2009) concurs with the conclusion above formulated by the Aspartame workgroup (2008).

  • Grade: III
    • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
    • Grade II is Fair;
    • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
    • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
    • Grade V is Not Assignable.
    • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
    • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
    • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
    • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
    • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
  • Evidence Summary: In children, does using foods or beverages with aspartame affect appetite or food intake?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • Anderson GH, Saravis S, Schacher R, Zlotkin S, Leiter LA. Aspartame: effect on lunch-time food intake, appetite and hedonic response in children. Appetite. 1989 Oct; 13 (2): 93-103.
      • Anderson GH, Saravis S, Schacher R, Zlotkin S, Leiter LA. Aspartame: effect on lunch-time food intake, appetite and hedonic response in children. Appetite. 1989 Oct; 13 (2): 93-103.
      • Butchko H et al, Aspartame: review of safety. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2002 Apr; 35 (2 Pt. 2): S1-93. Evaluation of appetite, food intake, and usefulness of aspartame in weight control (S83-87).
      • Butchko H et al, Aspartame: review of safety. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2002 Apr; 35 (2 Pt. 2): S1-93. Evaluation of appetite, food intake, and usefulness of aspartame in weight control (S83-87).
      • Wilson JF. Lunch eating behavior of preschool children. Effects of age, gender, and type of beverage served. Physiol Behav. 2000 Jul 1-15; 70 (1-2): 27-33.
      • Wilson JF. Lunch eating behavior of preschool children. Effects of age, gender, and type of beverage served. Physiol Behav. 2000 Jul 1-15; 70 (1-2): 27-33.
  • Search Plan and Results: NNNS: Aspartame, Appetite and Intake 2008