SWEETENERS: CONSUMPTION TRENDS AND IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH. LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

The aim. To review the prevalence of sweetener consumption, its trends, and its impact on human health.
Material and methods. Articles published between 2000 and 2025 and indexed in the ,,PubMed“, ,,ScienceDirect“, ,,SpringerLink“, and ,,Google Scholar“ databases were analyzed. The study also used reports from international institutions such as EFSA, WHO, FAO/JECFA, U.S. FDA and for the national context, documents from the Research Unit of the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania were used for the analysis. 63 publications were selected based on the inclusion criteria: language (English, Lithuanian), reliability, validity, and thematic relevance. Full-text articles were analyzed, including quantitative and qualitative studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and literature reviews. Descriptive analysis was applied to examine the sources.
Results and conclusions. The consumption of substances that induce a sensation of sweetness has a significant positive and/or negative impact on human health: prolonged high sugar intake, especially of sucrose and fructose, can contribute to weight gain, fat accumulation, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of metabolic diseases. The consumption of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners, despite their low caloric content and recognition by major regulatory agencies (EFSA and FDA), may be associated with significant changes in gut microbiota composition, disturbances in glucose homeostasis regulation, and modulation of appetite control mechanisms. Their long-term associations with carcinogenicity (classified as Group B carcinogens), as well as the risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases, remain relevant topics for further scientific research and discussion. Natural sweeteners may be more favorable for consumption due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties; however, existing clinical data are insufficient to form definitive conclusions regarding their safety and potential benefits.