The research was funded by Zydus Wellness, which supplied the sucralose-based tabletop sweetener used in the study. It is important to note that the sponsor had no involvement in the study’s conduct or data analysis
The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) has released groundbreaking findings from India’s first study on the effects of the artificial sweetener sucralose on adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study, which explored the impact of substituting table sugar (sucrose) with sucralose in daily beverages like coffee and tea, revealed promising results with no adverse effects on glycemic markers.
The randomized controlled trial (RCT) followed 179 individuals with T2D over 12 weeks, analyzing their response to sucralose in comparison to traditional sugar. Participants were divided into two groups: one continued using sucrose, while the other replaced it with a sucralose-based tabletop sweetener. Importantly, lifestyle patterns and medications remained unchanged throughout the study.
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The study’s findings come at a time when the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned against using NNS to control body weight in the general population
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However, these guidelines do not specifically address individuals with diabetes, leading to concerns among healthcare providers and the public about the safety of NNS for diabetics
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This study offers reassurance, indicating that sucralose, when used in small doses, is a safe alternative to sugar for those with T2D
At the end of the trial, researchers observed no significant differences in glucose or HbA1c levels between the two groups. However, the sucralose group did experience modest improvements in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). Specifically, participants in the intervention group saw an average weight loss of 0.3 kg, a BMI reduction of 0.1 kg/m², and a decrease in waist circumference by 0.9 cm.
Senior diabetologist Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman of MDRF, emphasized the importance of the study, noting that India’s dietary habits differ significantly from those in other regions.
With high carbohydrate consumption being a significant risk factor for diabetes, replacing sugar in daily beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) like sucralose can be a critical step towards better health outcomes for diabetics in India.
Dr. Mohan added, “Judicious use of sucralose within the permissible acceptable daily intake (ADI) in beverages like tea and coffee appears to be safe. More studies are underway to further explore the safety and efficacy of sucralose.”
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