College students' use of high-intensity sweeteners is not consistently associated with sugar consumption
Chen, L.N.; Parham, E.S.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 91(6): 686-690
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 2040783 Document Number: 380489
The study, which replicated a similar study from 1980, sought to examine whether the use of high-intensity sweeteners (HISs) effectively reduced sugar intake among college students. In the earlier study, saccharin was the only available HIS. The current investigation considered the use of both saccharin and aspartame. Both studies used 24-h recalls and food frequency data to assess the use of HISs and the intakes of sugars, energy and selected dietary components. 61% of women and 31% of men used HISs regularly. Among women who regularly used HISs sugar intake was significantly lower than among the women not using HISs, but both groups reported consuming a high proportion of energy from sugars. Among the men, use of HISs was associated with a significantly greater intake of sugars. The difference in the pattern of use between men and women is attributed to differences in concerns about weight and dieting. Compared with the earlier study, this investigation found a higher incidence of HIS use by both sexes and more use by men. Unlike the earlier findings, HIS use was not accompanied by a general restriction of food intake. There was no evidence that HISs were associated with a biologically significant reduction in sugar intake.