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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/86170 |
| Date | 06 June 2017 |
| Creators | Hess, Erica Lynn |
| Contributors | Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise, Hedrick, Valisa E., Swithers, Susan E., Davy, Kevin P. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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