Abstract
It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that consumers can safely
enjoy a range of nutritive sweeteners and nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) when consumed
within an eating plan that is guided by current federal nutrition recommendations,
such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Dietary Reference Intakes, as
well as individual health goals and personal preference. A preference for sweet taste
is innate and sweeteners can increase the pleasure of eating. Nutritive sweeteners
contain carbohydrate and provide energy. They occur naturally in foods or may be added
in food processing or by consumers before consumption. Higher intake of added sugars
is associated with higher energy intake and lower diet quality, which can increase
the risk for obesity, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. On
average, adults in the United States consume 14.6% of energy from added sugars. Polyols
(also referred to as sugar alcohols) add sweetness with less energy and may reduce
risk for dental caries. Foods containing polyols and/or no added sugars can, within
food labeling guidelines, be labeled as sugar-free. NNS are those that sweeten with
minimal or no carbohydrate or energy. They are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration
as food additives or generally recognized as safe. The Food and Drug Administration
approval process includes determination of probable intake, cumulative effect from
all uses, and toxicology studies in animals. Seven NNS are approved for use in the
United States: acesulfame K, aspartame, luo han guo fruit extract, neotame, saccharin,
stevia, and sucralose. They have different functional properties that may affect perceived
taste or use in different food applications. All NNS approved for use in the United
States are determined to be safe.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 25, 2012
Footnotes
This Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics position was adopted by the House of Delegates Leadership Team on October 18, 1992, and reaffirmed on September 6, 1996; June 22, 2000; and on December 18, 2008. This position is in effect until December 31, 2015. The Academy authorizes republication of the position, in its entirety, provided full and proper credit is given. Readers may copy and distribute this paper, providing such distribution is not used to indicate an endorsement of product or service. Commercial distribution is not permitted without the permission of the Academy. Requests to use portions of the position must be directed to the Academy headquarters at 800/877-1600, ext. 4835, or [email protected]
Reviewers: Diabetes Care and Education dietetic practice group (Deborah J. Cincinelli-Timm, MSA, RD, The University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor MI); Roger A. Clemens, DrPH, FACN (E.T. Horn, Inc, La Mirada, CA); Joan V. Czarnowski-Hill, RD, CDE, LDN (Hill Nutrition Consulting, LLC, Natick MA); Nancy L. Knodracki, MS, RD, LDN (independent contractor, Greensboro, NC); Esther Myers, PhD, RD, FADA (Academy Research & Strategic Business Development, Chicago, IL); Susan Raatz, PhD, RD (US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center, Grand Forks, ND); Mary Pat Raimondi, MS, RD (Academy Policy Initiatives & Advocacy, Washington, DC); Janelle M. Walter, PhD, RD (Baylor University, Waco, TX).
Evidence Analysis Workgroup: Marion J. Franz, MS, RD, (workgroup chair), Nutrition Concepts by Franz, Inc, Minneapolis, MN; Kristine S. Clark, PhD, RD, Penn State University, University Park, PA; Molly Gee, Med, RD, LD, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Janelle Marshall Walter, PhD, RD, Baylor University, Waco, TX; Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, Alexandria, VA; Kyle L. Thompson, MS, RD, (lead analyst), Appalachian State University, Boone, NC; Tami Piemonte, MS, RD, LDN, (project manager), consultant, St Petersburg, FL.
Academy Positions Committee Workgroup: Connie B. Diekman, MEd, RD, LD, FADA (chair); Cathy L. Fagen, MA, RD; Hope S. Warshaw, MMSc, RD (content advisor).
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© 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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- ErratumJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and DieteticsVol. 112Issue 8
- PreviewThe “Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Use of Nutritive and Nonnutritive Sweeteners” (pp 739-758) that appeared in the May 2012 issue of the Journal contains an error. On page 748, the phrase, “the Delaney Clause was repealed and” should not have appeared in the first full sentence of the third column. The sentence should correctly read, “In 1996, the zero-risk standard changed to one of ‘reasonable certainty of no harm.'” In addition, the following sentence, “In 2000, Congress repealed the requirement for a warning label,” should have cited reference 19.
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