About this Research Topic
Noncaloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) are commonly used worldwide dietary supplements. The high consumption of these is the result of changes in lifestyle, specifically in countries with Western diets. NAS are used in the industrial formulation of food and beverages, especially to achieve low caloric intake, low costs and greater sweetness sensation compared with sucrose (regular sugar) and other caloric sweeteners.
However, commonly used non-caloric artificial sweeteners may have unfavorable effects on health including glucose intolerance and failure to cause weight reduction. For example, since most NAS are not metabolized in the body, their incomplete absorption of NAS has been linked with a series of alterations in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in colonic microbiota. These variations in bacterial population could cause changes in intestinal habits and motility, generating symptoms in patients with predispositions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Since 1980, studies assessing bacterial cultures have reported associations between the use of sweeteners and the presence of intestinal symptoms. Nevertheless, more recent literature shows contradictory results regarding gastrointestinal parameters, causing discussion on the matter about of potential damage or benefit of the NAS such as Saccharin, cyclamate, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, sucralose, and stevia, on gastrointestinal health.
As such, concern about the toxicity and the interaction with the microbiota of 'nonmetabolized' compounds prevails in preclinical models and humans. This Research Topic therefore aims to provide sufficient scientific evidence to make objective and specific recommendations to health workers (doctors, nutritionists, and nurses) and researchers, about non-caloric sweeteners and their impact on human health. We hope to show the prevalence of consumption of NAS in humans, as well as their benefits and consumption risks, including in particular a focus on gastrointestinal parameters such as gut microbiota, gastrointestinal diseases, gastrointestinal physiology and motility, sweet taste receptors, dental health, and bowel habits.
We welcome case series, ecological studies, case-control studies, cohort studies, clinical trials, and experimental studies in humans and populations, cell models and laboratory animals. We would select papers with sufficient methodological rigidity to be used as guides for the recommendation of NAS.
However, commonly used non-caloric artificial sweeteners may have unfavorable effects on health including glucose intolerance and failure to cause weight reduction. For example, since most NAS are not metabolized in the body, their incomplete absorption of NAS has been linked with a series of alterations in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in colonic microbiota. These variations in bacterial population could cause changes in intestinal habits and motility, generating symptoms in patients with predispositions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Since 1980, studies assessing bacterial cultures have reported associations between the use of sweeteners and the presence of intestinal symptoms. Nevertheless, more recent literature shows contradictory results regarding gastrointestinal parameters, causing discussion on the matter about of potential damage or benefit of the NAS such as Saccharin, cyclamate, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, sucralose, and stevia, on gastrointestinal health.
As such, concern about the toxicity and the interaction with the microbiota of 'nonmetabolized' compounds prevails in preclinical models and humans. This Research Topic therefore aims to provide sufficient scientific evidence to make objective and specific recommendations to health workers (doctors, nutritionists, and nurses) and researchers, about non-caloric sweeteners and their impact on human health. We hope to show the prevalence of consumption of NAS in humans, as well as their benefits and consumption risks, including in particular a focus on gastrointestinal parameters such as gut microbiota, gastrointestinal diseases, gastrointestinal physiology and motility, sweet taste receptors, dental health, and bowel habits.
We welcome case series, ecological studies, case-control studies, cohort studies, clinical trials, and experimental studies in humans and populations, cell models and laboratory animals. We would select papers with sufficient methodological rigidity to be used as guides for the recommendation of NAS.
Keywords: noncaloric sweeteners, gut microbiota, gastrointestinal diseases, gastrointestinal physiology, sweet taste receptor and dietary additives, artificial sweeteners
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