New research from the University of Washington in the US examining data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of more than 22,000 people has found that consumers of foods and beverages made with no-, low-, and reduced-calorie sweeteners have better quality diets and are more likely to be physically active.
The NHANES is conducted by the US Centers of Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Health Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) every two years. In the study, researchers used ten years of NHANES data (from 1999–2008) to determine consumption of foods and drinks made with no-, low-, and reduced-calorie sweeteners. Diet quality was measured using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), a measuring tool developed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which looks at individual compliance to dietary recommendations. Physical activity, as well as tobacco and alcohol use, was reported by participants.
Results of the study showed that consumers of low-calorie sweeteners were more likely to have a higher HEI score and engage in physical activity and were less likely to smoke or consume solid fats, added sugar and alcohol.
Head researcher Adam Drewnowski said: 'The present analyses suggest that low-calorie sweetener (LCS) consumers may differ in several, previously unobserved, ways from non-consumers in terms of their health behaviours. In particular, LCS consumers were more physically active and had higher HEI scores. In addition to the benefits conferred by the reduction of energy from added sugars, LCS consumption may be a marker for other positive health behaviours and lifestyles.'
The study was published in the journal Nutrients and was funded by a gift in aid of research to the Center for Public Health and Nutrition of the University of Washington by the Calorie Control Council.