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Scientific Studies Show Aspartame
is Beneficial in Weight Control
Aspartame was associated with weight loss in two additional long-term
studies.
Morris et al. (1989) investigated low-calorie sweetener
consumption patterns of 35 overweight individuals before and after
completing a 16-week weight loss program. The program consisted
of either a low-fat diet or a low-fat diet combined with regular
exercise. Each subject’s use of saccharin and aspartame was
self-reported via food diaries.
- At the end of the 16-week period, women lost more than 15 pounds
and men lost more than 20 pounds while consuming aspartame and saccharin.
Women increased their intake of low-calorie sweeteners by 34 percent
(from 281 to 377 mg/day) by the end of the study.
- The researchers
concluded: “These results suggest that consumption of artificial
sweeteners is not a barrier to weight loss and that foods containing
artificial sweeteners can be incorporated into a weight-loss program.”
Drs. Tordoff and Alleva (1990) conducted a long-term study, monitoring
the diet records and body weights of 30 normal-weight adults during
three separate periods, each lasting three weeks. During each period,
the subjects consumed 40 ounces daily of either aspartame-sweetened
soda, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)-sweetened soda or no experimental
drinks.
- The researchers observed that drinking aspartame-sweetened soda
decreased the sugar and calorie intake of both sexes significantly
compared to the control period. Consumption of aspartame-sweetened
soda also led to a non-significant decrease in body weight in both
sexes combined, while consumption of HFCS-sweetened soda resulted
in a significant weight gain in both men and women.
- The researchers noted that although some studies have associated
low-calorie sweeteners with an increase in appetite and short-term
food intake, this study showed that “drinking large volumes
of aspartame-sweetened soda. . . . reduces sugar intake and thus
may facilitate the control of calorie intake and body weight.”
Dr. Barbara Rolls (1991) has published a review of 45 studies examining
the effects of low-calorie sweeteners on hunger, appetite and food
intake, which provides compelling evidence that low-calorie sweeteners
are helpful in controlling weight.
- From her review, which concluded a thorough discussion of the major
allegations related to the benefits of low-calorie sweeteners, Rolls
concluded: “Preliminary clinical trials suggested that aspartame
may be a useful aid in a complete diet-and-exercise program or in
weight maintenance. Intense sweeteners have never been found to
cause weight gain in humans.”
- She added, “If the individual
uses the consumption of a low-calorie food as an excuse to eat a
high-calorie food, or if the individual is not actively trying to
restrict intake, daily energy intake may remain unchanged. However,
if intense sweeteners are part of a weight-control program, they
could aid calorie control by providing palatable foods with reduced
energy. It needs to be stressed that there are no data suggesting
that consumption of foods and drinks with intense sweeteners promotes
food intake and weight gain in dieters.”
- The existing clinical evidence contradicts any suggestion that
low-calorie sweeteners cause people to overcompensate for the calories
saved in a given meal by eating more in a later meal. Additionally,
extensive clinical research shows that low-calorie sweetener use
does not result in increased calorie intake or lead to weight gain
and may assist with weight loss and control.
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