Tag: Nonnutritive sweeteners

According to the National Institutes of Health, worldwide consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) has almost doubled since the approval of the first NNS, saccharin, as people seek alternatives to high-calorie sugar. Understanding what is reduced when substituting nonnutritive sweeteners for sugar is key to making informed dietary choices for better metabolic health.

According to the World Health Organization, there is no evidence of a long-term benefit from non-sugar sweeteners for weight loss, which highlights the critical need to understand what is the difference between nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners. These two categories of sweeteners impact the body in distinct ways, from calorie count to metabolic effects.

Over 5,000 food and beverage products worldwide contain acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), one of several nonnutritive sweeteners currently available in the United States. This guide will detail which of the following nonnutritive sweeteners are currently available in the food supply in the United States, breaking down their regulatory status and common uses.

According to a 2017 scoping review in the *Nutrition Journal*, the evidence surrounding the long-term health effects of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) remains inconsistent. When substituting nonnutritive sweeteners for sugar, several components are immediately reduced, most notably caloric load and carbohydrate intake.

As of late 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has permitted the use of nine high-intensity nonnutritive sweeteners, including both formally approved food additives and ingredients with a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status. In contrast, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) does not approve sweeteners; instead, its dietary guidance is based on established scientific and regulatory bodies.

Over 40% of U.S. adults reported consuming nonnutritive sweeteners, and yes, artificial sweeteners are considered nonnutritive, meaning they provide intense sweetness with minimal to no calories. This key classification fundamentally defines how they function as sugar substitutes and their role in diet and nutrition.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup are considered nutritive sweeteners because they provide calories. While both are derived from cornstarch, their composition and processing differ significantly, influencing their use in foods and public health perception. Understanding whether corn syrup is a nutritive or nonnutritive sweetener is crucial for deciphering nutrition labels and making informed dietary choices.

Sucralose, the sweetening component of Splenda, is approximately 600 times sweeter than table sugar. This makes it a popular choice for reducing sugar intake, but for many, the question remains: is Splenda a nonnutritive sweetener, and what does that mean for your diet?

According to a 2019 study, consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) is common, with some reports indicating that roughly 41% of adults in the US consume them regularly. To understand their role in modern eating habits and overall nutrition, it’s essential to know **what nonnutritive means** and what effects these substances have on the body.

By U.S. law, products with less than 5 calories per serving can be labeled 'zero calorie'. This surprising fact means that while pure nonnutritive sweeteners contain no calories, the commercial packets you buy often have a negligible but non-zero amount. So, how many calories are in a zero calorie sweetener, really?