Over a period of 20 years, increased long-term intakes of aspartame, saccharin, and diet beverages was linked to greater body fat volumes in a population of 3,088 participants who were enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort. These findings were published in the International Journal of Obesity.
 
Among other variables, intake of artificial sweeteners was established via a validated diet history questionnaire which was administered at baseline, year seven, and year 20. Artificial sweetener intakes were accounted for and adjustments were made for demographic and lifestyle factors, total energy intake, and adherence to the 2015 healthy eating index to rule out these confounding factors.
 
“This study showed that habitual, long-term intake of total and individual artificial sweetener intakes are related to greater volumes of adipose tissue, commonly known as body fat,” said Brian Steffen, PhD, MSCR, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and co-investigator on the funded grant. “This was found even after accounting for other factors, including how much a person eats or the quality of one’s diet.”
 
Notably, sucralose did not have any significant impact on body fat volume. Due to the duration of the study, newer sweeteners like stevia and advantame weren’t assessed by questionnaires.
 
According to the authors, the study’s findings raise concerns about the recommendations from the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association that promote the replacement of added sugars with artificial sweeteners. The researchers recommend to instead consider other approaches, due to the potential health consequences highlighted in the present results.
 
“This is an especially timely study, given the World Health Organization’s recent warning of the potential health risks of aspartame,” said Lyn Steffen, PhD, MPH, a professor in the School of Public Health and principal investigator on the study. “These findings underscore the importance of finding alternatives to artificial sweeteners in foods and beverages, especially since these added sweeteners may have negative health consequences.”
 
More studies are needed to better understand the connection between artificial sweetener intake and increased body fat, the authors concluded, both in terms of mechanisms of action and how dietary habits affect metabolic health.