Artificial sweeteners in non-alcoholic beverages: Occurrence and exposure estimation of the Portuguese population

Associations between artificial sweetener intake from cereals, coffee, and tea and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: A genetic correlation, mediation, and mendelian randomization analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have emphasized the association between the intake of artificial sweeteners (AS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but the causative relationship remains ambiguous.

METHODS

This study employed univariate Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to assess the causal link between AS intake from various sources and T2DM. Linkage disequilibrium score (LDSC) regression was used to evaluate the correlation between phenotypes. Multivariate and mediation MR were applied to investigate confounding factors and mediating effects. Data on AS intake from different sources (N = 64,949) were sourced from the UK Biobank, while T2DM data were derived from the DIAbetes Genetics Replication And Meta-analysis.The primary method adopted was inverse variance weighted (IVW), complemented by three validation techniques. Additionally, a series of sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate pleiotropy and heterogeneity.

RESULTS

LDSC analysis unveiled a significant genetic correlation between AS intake from different sources and T2DM (rg range: -0.006 to 0.15, all P < 0.05). After correction by the false discovery rate (FDR), the primary IVW method indicated that AS intake in coffee was a risk factor for T2DM (OR = 1.265, 95% CI: 1.035-1.545, P = 0.021, PFDR = 0.042). Further multivariable and mediation MR analyses pinpointed high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) as mediating a portion of this causal relationship. In reverse MR analysis, significant evidence suggested a positive correlation between T2DM and AS intake in coffee (β = 0.013, 95% CI: 0.004-0.022, P = 0.004, PFDR = 0.012), cereal (β = 0.007, 95% CI: 0.002-0.012, P = 0.004, PFDR = 0.012), and tea (β = 0.009, 95% CI: 0.001-0.017, P = 0.036, PFDR = 0.049). No other causal associations were identified (P > 0.05, PFDR > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The MR analysis has established a causal relationship between AS intake in coffee and T2DM. The mediation by HDL-C emphasizes potential metabolic pathways underpinning these relationships.

Approaches to Enhance Sugar Content in Foods: Is the Date Palm Fruit a Natural Alternative to Sweeteners?

The current levels of added sugars in processed foods impact dental health and contribute to a range of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This review presents sugars and sweeteners used in food processing, the current possibility to replace added sugars, and highlights the benefits of using dates as a new natural, nutritious and healthy alternative to synthetic and non-nutritive sweeteners. In the context of environmental sustainability, palm groves afford a propitious habitat for a diverse array of animal species and assume a pivotal social role by contributing to the provisioning of sustenance and livelihoods for local communities. The available literature shows the date as an alternative to added sugars due to its composition in macro and micronutrients, especially in bioactive components (fiber, polyphenols and minerals). Therefore, dates are presented as a health promoter and a preventative for certain diseases with the consequent added value. The use of damaged or unmarketable dates, due to its limited shelf life, can reduce losses and improve the sustainability of date palm cultivation. This review shows the potential use dates, date by-products and second quality dates as sugar substitutes in the production of sweet and healthier foods, in line with broader sustainability objectives and circular economy principles.

Development, validation and application of multi-class methods for the analysis of food additives by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Food additives are used in numerous food products and are characterised by various physicochemical properties. In European member states, their use in food is regulated by the European Union. This work aimed to develop an accurate and high-throughput analytical method enabling the simultaneous determination of additives from different functional classes to facilitate controls and generate occurrence data for exposure assessments. The QuEChERS principle was applied due to its ease of implementation and flexibility to adjust to various food matrices. However, very polar substances could not be extracted with sufficient recoveries. Consequently, an alternative basic methanol sample-preparation methodology was developed. After sample preparation, the obtained extracts were analysed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Overall, the developed methodology allowed the quantification of 27 additives from the functional classes of colours, sweeteners, preservatives, and antioxidants in various foods (e.g. beverages, dairies, processed meals). The methods were also validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, matrix effect, limit of quantification, accuracy, repeatability, and intra-laboratory reproducibility. Finally, the methods were successfully applied to eighty-four actual samples. All additives were found below authorised levels. However, irregularities were spotted in labelling.

Low- and No-Calorie Sweetener (LNCS) Presence and Consumption among the Portuguese Adult Population

The use of low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) in food and beverages has become increasingly common in the development and reformulation of products to reduce energy derived from added sugars. Our aim was to identify the presence and consumption of LNCS through food and beverages according to consumption patterns in a representative sample (n = 256) of the Portuguese adult population. The study had a descriptive cross-sectional observational design and was based on the application of a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Overall, it was found that 4.1% of the foods and 16.7% of the beverages consumed by the Portuguese adult population contained LNCS. Food groups mostly contributing to LNCS consumption were non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks and juices (34.2%); milk and dairy products (16.5%); appetizers such as chips (8.6%); sugars and sweets such as chocolates, candies, or chewing gums (6.1%); meat and derivative products (2.2%); cereals and derivatives (1.2%) and canned fruits (1.2%). Main LNCS consumed were acesulfame-K, sucralose, and aspartame, single or combined, although their prevalence of use differs greatly among foods, beverages, or tabletop sweeteners. In conclusion, LNCS were found across a wide variety of products available in the Portuguese market and their prevalence of inclusion in the diet of the population evidences the need to develop more studies on the evolution of LNCS intake and its impact on the full dietary model and health. Consequently, these food additives should be included in food composition databases and, periodically, updated to reflect the recurrent reformulation strategies adopted by the food industry in its efforts to reduce the energy contribution of added sugars.