Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners

NNNS: Effect on Energy Balance (Weight) (2010)

Aspartame and Energy Balance (Weight) 

• Intervention
  In adults, does using foods or beverages with aspartame in a calorie-restricted or ad libitum diet affect energy balance (weight)?

  • Conclusion

    Use of aspartame and aspartame-sweetened products as part of a comprehensive weight loss or maintenance program by individuals may be associated with greater weight loss and may assist individuals with weight maintenance over time.

  • 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 in a calorie-restricted or ad libitum diet affect energy balance (weight)?
    • Detail
    • Quality Rating Summary
      For a summary of the Quality Rating results, click here.
    • Worksheets
      • 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).
      • 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. 
      • Knopp RH, Brandt K, Arky RA. Effects of aspartame in young persons during weight reduction. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1976 Nov; 2 (2): 417-428.
      • Knopp RH, Brandt K, Arky RA. Effects of aspartame in young persons during weight reduction. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1976 Nov; 2 (2): 417-428.
      • 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 and Energy Balance (Weight) 2008
     
  In children, does using beverages with aspartame in a calorie-restricted or ad libitum diet affect energy balance (weight)?

  • Conclusion

    To date, adequately powered studies have not been conducted to evaluate the effect of aspartame consumption by children on energy balance (weight).

    The 2009 update did not find new studies meeting the inclusion criteria for this question and the 2009 Workgroup concurs with the conclusion above formulated by the  2008 Aspartame Workgroup.

  • Grade: V
    • 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.
  • Search Plan and Results: NNNS: Aspartame and Energy Balance (Weight) 2008