Consumption of Non-nutritive Sweeteners and Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: What Do We Know, and Not?

Abstract

Purpose of review: The article explores the relationship between non-nutritive sweetener consumption and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes through reviewing meta-analyses and systematic reviews, as well as clinical trials and observational studies.

Recent findings: The data overall has yet to show a strong and clear link between consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners and the development of type 2 diabetes. However, several observational studies have shown a positive relationship between these two variables, with a stronger association found among women. Regarding non-nutritive sweeteners that are currently commercially available, there is not one specific non-nutritive sweetener that appears to be more strongly associated with the development of type 2 diabetes than other non-nutritive sweeteners. There is still much to be learned regarding non-nutritive sweeteners and their potential link to metabolic disorders. Further research is needed to identify the long-term impacts of non-nutritive sweetener consumption and identify the nuances in terms of risk of developing type 2 diabetes concerning specific non-nutritive sweeteners.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Metabolic disorder; Non-nutritive sweeteners; Observational studies; Randomized controlled trials; Type 2 diabetes.