Ph.D. (Chemistry) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The human gut microbiome is composed of millions of microbial genes, performing a variety of functions contributing to the host’s homeostasis. The disturbance of normal gut microbiome composition and function is associated with diseases. Dietary components including food additives, i.e., sweeteners, play a pivotal role in shaping the human gut microbiome. Despite many studies pointing out the association between sweeteners consumption and health issues, the mechanisms are still unclear and whether sweeteners can directly change the gut microbiome remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the responses of the human gut microbiome to 20 common sweeteners, using an approach combining high-throughput in-vitro microbiome culturing and metaproteomics, which provided both taxonomic and functional profile. Sweeteners that belonged to sugar alcohols and glycosides were revealed to induce larger changes in the microbiome metaproteome, as compared with other non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS). Changes in taxa abundance were found to be associated with all tested sweeteners at genus level. Clustering analysis based on functional profiling categorized sweeteners into two major clusters, including one cluster comprising 6 sugar alcohols which induced greater functional responses including reduced transport and metabolism of lipid and amino acids, and promoted translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, as compared with the other cluster comprising NAS. Taxon-specific functional analyses showed that microbial enzymes from Lachonospiraceae, Faecalibacterium, Eubacterium, Coprococcus and Roseburia hominis were the major contributors to altered butyrate-producing pathways by sweeteners. This study provides a comprehensive profiling of sweeteners-induced gut microbiome changes, and may serve as a basis to understand sweeteners-relevant health issues from a microbiome point of view.

Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) have been used to replace added sugars in foods/beverages. Research related to NNS consumption and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is of great importance as NNS are often used by individuals who are looking to improve their health. The objectives of this investigation were to determine whether an association between NNS consumption (total and individual types) and MetS exists, and if any of the five risk factors for MetS were more significantly impacted by NNS consumption. Four NNS were included in this study: saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. Adult participants (n = 125) from Southwest Virginia were recruited for a cross-sectional investigation. Demographics, three 24-hour dietary recalls, and values for MetS (blood pressure, waist circumference, and glucose, triglyceride, and HDL levels) were collected. Statistical analyses included descriptives and multiple linear regressions models. Of the 125 participants, 63 were classified as NNS consumers and 18 met the criteria for MetS. There was a significant positive relationship between MetS and total NNS consumption (p=0.007) and MetS and aspartame (p=0.012). When looking at individual MetS risk factors, waist circumference, triglyceride and glucose values were significantly positively associated with NNS consumption (p≤0.001) and aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin (all p≤0.027). Some limitations to current NNS research were addressed, such as, examining associations between individual NNS types and not using diet soda as a proxy for NNS consumption. More research is needed to address the bias of self-reported data and the lack of randomized controlled trials to inferentially test the impact of NNS consumption. / Master of Science / Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) have been used to replace added sugars in foods/beverages because they provide little to no calories. Research related to NNS consumption and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is of great importance as NNS are often used by individuals who are looking to improve their health by reducing added sugar intake. MetS consists of five risk factors: high blood pressure, large waist circumference, high fasting blood glucose values, high triglyceride values, and low high-density lipoprotein. The goals of this study were to determine if there was a relationship between NNS consumption (total and individual types) and MetS, and if any of the five risk factors for MetS were more heavily affected by NNS consumption. Four NNS were included in this study: saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. For this cross-sectional study, participants (n=125) from Southwest Virginia were recruited. Three 24-hour dietary recalls and values for risk factors of MetS were collected. Of the 125 participants, 63 were classified as NNS consumers and 18 met the criteria for MetS. Based on the data collected, there was a significant positive association between MetS and total NNS consumption and aspartame consumption. When looking at individual MetS risk factors, waist circumference, triglyceride and glucose values were significantly positively associated with total NNS consumption and aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin consumption. Some limitations to current NNS research were addressed, such as, examining relationships between individual NNS types and not using diet soda as the only source for NNS consumption. More research is needed to address the bias of self-reported data and the lack of randomized controlled trials to better test the impact of NNS consumption.

The aim of diploma thesis "Sugar substitutes" was to create a list of sugar substitutes and review their impact on human health. It analyzes the realtionship of sugar substitutes to obesity, diabetes and caries. Diploma thesis discusses the possibilities of using sugar substitutes and their characteristics. Thesis includes information about acceptable daily intake of each sweetener and comparison its sweetness to sucrose. The brief description of every group of food additives and chapter about valid legislation are also parts of this thesis. Key words: sugar substitutes, artificial sweeteners, additives, acceptable daily intake, diabetes mellitus, obesity, caries

The overconsumption of added sugars leads to negative effects on health such as an increased risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. With approximately 50% of added sugars in the American diet being attributed to sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are recommended as potential replacements. The purpose of this secondary analysis of Talking Health, a 6-month SSB reduction intervention, was to explore 1) changes in NNS consumption patterns between SIPsmartER (n=101) and MoveMore (n=97) interventions, and 2) differences in demographics between three groups of various SSB-NNS consumption change patterns (Group 1: decreased SSB, increased NNS; Group 2: decreased SSB, no change in NNS; Group 3: increased SSB, regardless of NNS). Results showed that the SIPsmartER intervention significantly created more new NNS users than MoveMore after the 6 month intervention. There were significant between group over time differences for intake of aspartame, sucralose, and total NNS, with intake increasing for SIPsmartER participants as compared to MoveMore. However, when exploring demographics between the three SSB-NNS consumption change groups, no differences were found between those who successfully decreased SSB while increasing NNS and the other groups. While diet beverages were the most commonly consumed dietary source of NNS across groups over time, other sources such as tabletop sweeteners, yogurt, and meal replacement products contributed to total NNS intake. Future research is needed to identify those who would benefit most from using NNS as a tool to decrease SSB intake. This will help inform future interventions and provide appropriate strategies to decrease added sugars intake. / Master of Science / The overconsumption of added sugars leads to negative effects on health such as an increased risk for obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. With approximately 50% of added sugars in the American diet being attributed to sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are recommended as potential replacements. The purpose of this secondary analysis of Talking Health, a 6-month SSB reduction intervention, was to explore 1) changes in NNS consumption patterns between SIPsmartER (n=101) and MoveMore (n=97) interventions, and 2) differences in demographics between three groups of various SSB-NNS consumption change patterns (Group 1: decreased SSB, increased NNS; Group 2: decreased SSB, no change in NNS; Group 3: increased SSB, regardless of NNS). Results showed that the SIPsmartER intervention significantly created more new NNS users than MoveMore after the 6 month intervention. There were significant between group over time differences for intake of aspartame, sucralose, and total NNS, with intake increasing for SIPsmartER participants as compared to MoveMore. However, when exploring demographics between the three SSB-NNS consumption change groups, no differences were found between those who successfully decreased SSB while increasing NNS and the other groups. While diet beverages were the most commonly consumed dietary source of NNS across groups over time, other sources such as tabletop sweeteners, yogurt, and meal replacement products contributed to total NNS intake. Future research is needed to identify those who would benefit most from using NNS as a tool to decrease SSB intake. This will help inform future interventions and provide appropriate strategies to decrease added sugars intake.

Controversy surrounds the use of artificial sweeteners (non-nutritive sweeteners [NNS]) as an effective weight-loss and/or maintenance strategy. This controversy is especially important as obesity is an epidemic in the United States. Excessive added sugar intake, primarily from sugar-sweetened beverages, has been linked to increased risk of overweight and obesity, as well as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. NNS provide minimal to no calories and thus, they have been suggested as a method to reduce added sugar intake, and consequently decrease energy intake, weight, and cardiometabolic risk. However, NNS intake has been associated with various health outcomes in observational studies and randomized controlled trials, including cancer, weight gain and loss, physiological and intestinal changes, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The uncertainties around the effect of NNS on health outcomes stem from a variety of limitations, one of which is inadequate dietary assessment methodology. Accuracy of dietary intake assessment methods is limited by the inability to distinguish between different types of NNS and lack of information about consumer use of NNS in a variety of beverages and foods. The purpose of this investigation is to explore NNS consumer characteristics and to characterize NNS intake in a sample of rural Southwest Virginian adults. This characterization is especially important for rural populations, as they are known to be high sugar-sweetened beverage consumers and are at an increased risk of obesity and chronic disease; thus, NNS could serve as a replacement method to facilitate cardiometabolic health. Cross-sectional data from a large randomized controlled trial, Talking Health (n=301), was utilized in this investigation to compare demographic characteristics, anthropometrics, biochemical markers, dietary quality, and dietary factors between NNS consumers and NNS non-consumers. This data was also used to characterize NNS intake (frequency, type, and source of sweetener). Of this rural sample, 33% consumed NNS, with sucralose being the most prevalent type of NNS and diet soda being the most frequently consumed source of NNS. NNS consumers had a higher BMI status than NNS non-consumers. However, NNS consumers had better overall dietary quality than NNS non-consumers. The characteristics of these NNS consumers and their intake patterns can be used to develop well-designed dietary intake assessment tools that accurately measure NNS intake, which can facilitate a better understanding of the associations of NNS with health outcomes. / Master of Science

3 pp. / Artificial sweeteners can help consumers cut down on calories and control weight, help to manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, and potentially prevent cavities. This publication explores the several different sugar substitutes approved by the USDA for consumer consumption.

In 1959 Abbott Laboratories estimated (3) that every year 60 million persons go on controlled diets. Of these about 34 million have serious obesity problems, 3 million are diabetics and the rest have disorders that demand strict dietary measures.

Thesis (MTech. degree: Pharmaceutical Sciences.)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2012. / Aims to formulate a soluble tablet containing stevioside for use as a sweetener in beverages and food.

Artificial sweeteners have been increasingly incorporated into our diets. Contrary to what is believed to alleviate the obesity and diabetes epidemic seen today, artificial sweeteners have shown to induce the very problem it was meant to repress. Studies found that the consumption of artificial sweeteners ultimately lead to an increased risk of weight gain and diabetes. Exposure has shown to induce problems ranging from dysbiosis, inflammation, overconsumption, metabolic derangements, and much more that highly suggests the counterintuitive effects of artificial sweeteners.