Long-term aspartame and saccharin intakes are related to greater volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue: the CARDIA study
Authors' conclusion
Results suggest that long-term intakes of aspartame, saccharin, or diet soda may increase AT deposition and risk of incident obesity independent of diet quality or caloric intake. Coupled with previous evidence, alternatives to national recommendations to replace added sugar with ArtSw should be considered since both may have health consequences.
Study context
- Population
- Men and women in the CARDIA cohort; mean age 25.2 years and mean BMI 24.5 kg/m² at baseline
- Participants
- 3,088 men
- Exposure
- Higher vs lower intakes of artificial sweeteners and diet beverages
- Outcome
- Volumes of visceral (VAT), intermuscular (IMAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) by CT
- Follow-up
- Year 25
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
VAT, SAT and IMAT volumes
- Total artificial sweetener (ArtSw), aspartame, saccharin and diet beverage intakes positively associated with VAT, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and IMAT volumes
- all ptrend ≤ 0.001
- No associations for sucralose intake
- all ptrend > 0.05
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
BMI, body weight, waist circumference and their 25-year increases
- Total ArtSw, saccharin, aspartame and diet beverage intakes associated with greater BMI, body weight, waist circumference and their increases
Incident obesity · median 17.5-year follow-up
- ArtSw, including diet soda, associated with greater risk of incident obesity
- all ptrend < 0.05
- Saccharin
- P for trend = 0.13
Original publication
Long-term aspartame and saccharin intakes are related to greater volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue: the CARDIA study. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 13 July 2023. doi:10.
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