Patel Yash, Mohamed Elfadil Osman, Patel Suhena, Ghanem Omar M, Hurt Ryan T, Mundi Manpreet S
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism and Nutrition, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Curr Nutr Rep. 2025 Apr 2;14(1):54. doi: 10.1007/s13668-025-00646-z.
The escalating incidence of obesity and metabolic syndromes has catalyzed a critical evaluation of dietary sugars, leading to an increased interest in non-nutritive and natural sweeteners as viable alternatives. This manuscript reviews the historical developments, safety profiles, and health-related consequences of these sweeteners, tracing the evolution from early discoveries such as saccharin and cyclamate to contemporary compounds like aspartame, sucralose, and plant-derived sweeteners.
We explore the physiological mechanisms underpinning sweet taste perception, including the roles of T1R and T2R receptors, and the neurochemical pathways involving dopamine in mediating the rewarding effects of sugar consumption. The review underscores the adverse health impacts associated with excessive intake of added sugars, which correlate positively with conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Attention is given to the contrasting profiles of non-nutritive sweeteners and natural sweetener alternatives, with an emphasis on emerging concerns regarding the safety and long-term ramifications of synthetic sweeteners. The regulatory context surrounding the approval and utilization of sweeteners varies significantly across different jurisdictions, warranting careful consideration. As consumer inclination shifts towards healthier dietary choices, a nuanced understanding of the implications of sweetener selection on public health is imperative.
肥胖和代谢综合征发病率的不断上升促使人们对膳食糖进行批判性评估，从而使人们对非营养性和天然甜味剂作为可行替代品的兴趣日益浓厚。本手稿回顾了这些甜味剂的历史发展、安全性概况以及与健康相关的后果，追溯了从糖精和甜蜜素等早期发现到阿斯巴甜、三氯蔗糖和植物源甜味剂等当代化合物的演变过程。
我们探讨了甜味感知的生理机制，包括T1R和T2R受体的作用，以及涉及多巴胺的神经化学途径在介导糖摄入的奖赏效应中的作用。该综述强调了与过量摄入添加糖相关的不良健康影响，这些影响与肥胖、2型糖尿病和心血管疾病等状况呈正相关。关注非营养性甜味剂和天然甜味剂替代品的不同概况，重点是对合成甜味剂安全性和长期影响的新关注。不同司法管辖区围绕甜味剂批准和使用的监管背景差异很大，需要仔细考虑。随着消费者倾向转向更健康的饮食选择，对甜味剂选择对公众健康影响的细致理解势在必行。
