J Korean Diabetes.  2023 Dec;24(4):221-226. 10.4093/jkd.2023.24.4.221.

Diabetes and Non‑Nutritive Sweeteners

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Nutrition Services, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea

Abstract

Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) can provide strong sweetness in small amounts and have fewer calories compared to sugar. However, there is much debate within the academic community regarding their long-term impact on health. For individuals with diabetes who find it challenging to reduce added sugar intake, limited short-term use of NNS may be considered as a step toward reducing sugar consumption. However, ultimately, it is important to reduce both sugar-containing beverages and those containing NNS. Diabetes educators should educate patients about the need for caution when consuming NNS and provide guidance on healthy food choices.

Keyword

Diabetes mellitus; Education; Non-nutritive sweeteners

Cited by  1 articles

The Impact of Non-Sugar Sweetener on Health Outcomes in the General Population and Patients with Diabetes
Shinje Moon, Soo Kyoung Kim, Jong Han Choi, Yoonju Song, Jeong Hyun Lim, Jae Won Cho, Sang Soo Kim
J Korean Diabetes. 2024;25(4):211-216.    doi: 10.4093/jkd.2024.25.4.211.


Reference

1.Jung J. Action plan for sugars reduction. Food Sci Ind. 2016. 49:12–6.
2.Han TC., Seo I., Lim HJ., Kih MJ. Reducing sugar content in processed foods using high intensity sweeteners. Food Sci Ind. 2016. 49:29–39.
3.Park SY., Moon GB., Kim YS., Kim SH. Simple sugar intake in diabetics and non-diabetic patients who visit primary care clinic. Korean J Fam Pract. 2021. 11:29–38.
4.World Health Organization. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children. Geneva: World Health Organization;2015. p. 1–59.
5.Ministry of Health and Welfare; The Korean Nutrition Society. Dietary reference intakes for Koreans 2020. Sejong: Ministry of Health and Welfare;2020.
6.Malik VS., Popkin BM., Bray GA., Després JP., Willett WC., Hu FB. Sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis. Diabetes Care. 2010. 33:2477–83.
7.Malik VS., Popkin BM., Bray GA., Després JP., Hu FB. Sugar-sweetened beverages, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease risk. Circulation. 2010. 121:1356–64.
8.Malik VS., Pan A., Willett WC., Hu FB. Sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013. 98:1084–102.
9.Malik VS., Schulze MB., Hu FB. Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006. 84:274–88.
10.Vartanian LR., Schwartz MB., Brownell KD. Effects of soft drink consumption on nutrition and health: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Public Health. 2007. 97:667–75.
11.Sheiham A., James WP. A reappraisal of the quantitative relationship between sugar intake and dental caries: the need for new criteria for developing goals for sugar intake. BMC Public Health. 2014. 14:863.
12.Sheiham A., James WP. A new understanding of the relationship between sugars, dental caries and fluoride use: implications for limits on sugars consumption. Public Health Nutr. 2014. 17:2176–84.
13.Korean Diabetes Association. Clinical practice guidelines for diabetes. 8th ed.Seoul: Korean Diabetes Association;2023.
14.Korean Dietetic Association. Manual of medical nutrition therapy. 4th ed.Seoul: The Korean Dietetic Association;2022. p. 163.
15.U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Aspartame and other sweeteners in food. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweet-eners-food (updated 2023 Jul 14).
16.National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation. Risk assessment of sweeteners. Cheongju: National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation;2016.
17.Korean Diabetes Association. Information for practicing dietary therapy. Available from: https://www.diabetes.or.kr/general/dietary/dietary_06.php.
18.Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Notification no. 2022-66. Labeling standards of foods, etc. Available from: https://www.mfds.go.kr/brd/m_207/view.do?se-q=14822&srchFr=&srchTo=&srchWord=&srchTp=&itm_seq_1=0&itm_seq_2=0&multi_itm_seq=0&company_cd=&company_nm=&page=1 (updated 2022 Sep 6).
19.World Health Organization (WHO). Use of non-sugar sweeteners: WHO guideline. Geneva: WHO;2023.
20.Avena NM., Rada P., Hoebel BG. Evidence for sugar addiction: behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2008. 32:20–39.
Full Text Links
  • JKD
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2025 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr