Beverages containing nonnutritive sweeteners may cause less childhood weight gain than sugary beverages
October 2, 2024—Youth who consume beverages containing nonnutritive sweeteners (NNSs)—sugar substitutes such as saccharin and aspartame—may experience less weight gain than their peers who consume sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
The study was published Sept. 13 in Advances in Nutrition. Authors included faculty, researchers, and students from the Department of Nutrition: Alan Espinosa and Kenny Mendoza, doctoral students; Deirdre Tobias, assistant professor; Walter Willett, professor; and Qi Sun and Josiemer Mattei, associate professors.
Despite more children and adolescents consuming food and beverages with NNS, little is known about the sweeteners’ effects on pediatric health, including body mass index (BMI). To fill this gap, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis of studies that compared sex- and age-specific BMI changes among youth ages 2-19 who consumed SSBs versus NNS beverages. Four randomized controlled trials and eight prospective cohort studies were included in the meta-analysis.
The study found that youth assigned to drink NNS beverages in randomized clinical trials—especially adolescents and youth with obesity—showed less BMI gain compared to those assigned to drink SSBs. The results of prospective cohort studies, meanwhile, showed no significant association between youth NNS beverage intake and changes in BMI.
Importantly, the researchers highlighted a significant gap in the literature, stating, “Our search did not identify studies comparing NNS beverages to water as a healthy alternative. Comparing NNS beverages and water in future studies could better contextualize sugar replacement with NNSs for optimal body weight during childhood.”
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