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Medical groups release statement about low-calorie sweeteners

Category: Diabetes

People who find out they have diabetes, with the help of a blood test, need to make certain lifestyle adjustments, which may include medication regimens as well as modifications in exercise and diet habits. Recently, the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association released a joint statement that supported the use of low-calorie sweeteners.

"While they are not magic bullets, smart use of non-nutritive sweeteners could help you reduce added sugars in your diet, therefore lowering the number of calories you eat. Reducing calories could help you attain and maintain a healthy body weight, and thereby lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes," said lead author Christopher Gardner, Ph.D.

However, there are certain caveats that patients must keep in mind. For example, the potential benefits of using low-calorie sweeteners are negated by the consumption of additional, high-calorie foods.

Furthermore, the statement reminds people who have diabetes that a modified diet must also include healthy food that does not contain added sugars or non-nutritive sweeteners. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy.

People who are unsure of whether they need to adopt such lifestyles may want to take a blood test to identify their potential health risk factors.