Education interventions can improve confidence in safety of low- and no- calorie sweeteners

Education on the safety and approval process of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCSs) boosts practitioner confidence in advising patients on their use, according to new research.

LNCSs provide sweetness that can support the reduction of caloric sweeteners and added sugars in the diet.

The new study evaluates the impact of an educational intervention on the perceptions and knowledge of LNCSs among healthcare professionals. The intervention was a webinar on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration safety and evaluation process for LNCSs and included a pre- and post-questionnaire to evaluate change in understanding and perception.

Dietitians and nutritionists in the study learned about the regulatory review process for food additives and food ingredients and how the government evaluates safety. According to the authors, “following the intervention, there was a significant improvement in the participant’s knowledge, understanding and confidence in the safety and approval process of LNCSs and reduced negative perceptions of LNCSs on health.”

Even though all sweeteners in the study have been reviewed by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, there were large differences in familiarity. The LNCSs most familiar to study participants were aspartame and stevia, while the least familiar sweeteners included thaumatin, advantame and neotame.

The article, “Educational Intervention Boosts Dietitians’ Knowledge of the Safety and Approval of Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners,” appears in a recent issue of the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients. The research was supported by IAFNS Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners Committee.

The article notes that “most consumers do not fully understand LNCS and may be unsure or apprehensive about using them to replace caloric sweeteners. Considering that healthcare professionals are an essential resource for adults seeking dietary guidance, it is important to understand” their perceptions of LNCSs.

The study aimed to enroll a diverse group of healthcare practitioners; however, more than 90% of the study respondents were dietitians or nutritionists.

According to the paper, “Webinars and educational tools may be an effective strategy for increasing knowledge related to LNCS, which may translate to improved consistency in patient guidance. Increased education is anticipated to assist healthcare practitioners in making objective recommendations during their clinical practice, improving confidence and patient guidance to support health outcomes.”

Author Alissa A. Nolden of the University of Massachusetts Amherst says “There has been an increased focus on sweeteners, with national and international groups supporting the reduction of sugar. This has increased interest in replacing sugar with sweetener alternatives to support these goals. However, consumers and dietitians are uncertain about their safety. More work is needed to prepare and educate consumers and healthcare providers on LNCS as the food industry aims to meet new policies on sugar reduction.”

The paper is available here.

The Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) is committed to leading positive change across the food and beverage ecosystem. This paper was supported by IAFNSLow- and No-Calorie Sweeteners Committee. IAFNS is a 501(c)(3) science-focused nonprofit uniquely positioned to mobilize government, industry and academia to drive, fund and lead actionable research. iafns.org

This article was originally published on Newswise: Health Food.