Aspartame Myths: Weight Gain

Several well-controlled scientific studies were conducted to determine the effect of aspartame on hunger, satisfaction and food intake, and body weight. Based on the overwhelming scientific evidence aspartame does not increase appetite, food intake or weight gain.

Blackburn et al. (1997) conducted a study to investigate whether the addition of aspartame to a multidisciplinary weight control program would improve weight loss and long-term control of body weight in obese women. The researchers found that aspartame consumption was positively associated with weight loss. The researchers concluded that aspartame, as part of a multidisciplinary weight control program, may facilitate 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. 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. 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.