Non-caloric sweeteners in women of reproductive age - A consensus document

• Published in: Nutrición hospitalaria : organo oficial de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral Vol. 37; no. 1; p. 211
• Main Authors: Bailón Uriza, René, Ayala Méndez, José Antonio, Cavagnari, Brian M, Celis González, Cuauhtémoc, Chapa Tellez, Rubén, Chávez Brambila, Jesús, Espinosa-Marrón, Alan, Lira Plascencia, Josefina, López Alarcón, Mardia Guadalupe, López García, Rebeca, Maldonado Alvarado, Juan de Dios, Molina Segui, Fernanda, Montoya Cossio, Javier, Méndez Trujeque, Jorge, Nolasco Morán, Victorina, Sirahuén Neri Ruz, Eduardo, Peralta Sánchez, Antonio Erasto, Santa Rita Escamilla, Martin Tulio, Tena Alavez, Gilberto, Riobó Serván, Pilar, Laviada Molina, Hugo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish; English
• Published: Spain 17.02.2020
• Subjects: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced - etiology; Abnormalities, Drug-Induced - prevention & control; Diabetes, Gestational - etiology; Diabetes, Gestational - prevention & control; Evidence-Based Medicine; Female; Fetus - drug effects; Humans; Hypersensitivity - etiology; Lactation; Milk, Human - chemistry; Non-Nutritive Sweeteners - adverse effects; Non-Nutritive Sweeteners - pharmacokinetics; Non-Nutritive Sweeteners - therapeutic use; Obstetric Labor, Premature - chemically induced; Overweight - prevention & control; Preconception Injuries - chemically induced; Preconception Injuries - prevention & control; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Weight Gain; Edulcorantes no calóricos. Endulzantes artificiales. Embarazo. Lactancia. Diabetes gestacional
• ISSN: 0212-1611; 1699-5198
• DOI: 10.20960/nh.02870

Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are food additives that have been used as a possible tool to reduce energy and sugar intake. There is a scientific debate around the real benefits of their use. NNS are substances widely evaluated in the scientific literature. Their safety is reviewed by international regulatory health agencies. Health professionals and consumers often lack education and objective information about food additives based on the best scientific evidence. NNS have been used as a substitute for sucrose, especially by people with diabetes mellitus and obesity. However, concerns related to their possible association with preterm birth have been raised, and also with their use during pregnancy and lactation because of the possibility of metabolic or other consequences in both the mother and offspring. This analysis of the evidence in gynecology and obstetrics presents a review of the most commonly asked questions regarding this matter by health professionals and their patients. This document evaluates a diversity of scientific publications under the sieve of evidence-based medicine and the regulatory framework for food additives to elucidate whether the use of NNS in women in these critical stages of pregnancy and breastfeeding represents a potential risk.