Consenso Ibero-Americano de Edulcorantes No Calóricos: Aspectos Nutricionales y Seguridad de Consumo

Serra-Majem L, Raposo A, Aranceta-Bartrina J, Varela-Moreiras G, Logue C, Laviada H

Expertos internacionales en alimentación, nutrición, dietética, endocrinología, actividad física, pediatría, enfermería, toxicología, y salud pública, se reunieron para establecer un consenso sobre el uso de edulcorantes bajos en o sin calorías (ENC) con el objetivo de proporcionar una referencia útil y basada en evidencia que contribuya a reducir el consumo de azúcares libres, en línea con las recomendaciones internacionales de salud pública. 

Las conclusiones fueron las siguientes:  

      1. Se recalca que los edulcorantes son de los aditivos más estudiados en la cadena de alimentos y se concluye que su uso es seguro. 

     2. La importancia de la educación en torno a los edulcorantes hacia el consumidor, siempre basada en evidencia y manejada de manera transparente, debe ser reforzada en todo momento. 

     3. Se sugiere que los alimentos y bebidas endulzados con ENC o bajos en calorías sean recomendados como una opción para la sustitución de azúcar en guías alimentarias. 

ABSTRACT

“International scientific experts in food, nutrition, dietetics, endocrinology, physical activity, paediatrics, nursing, toxicology and public health met in Lisbon on 2–4 July 2017 to develop a Consensus on the use of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) as substitutes for sugars and other caloric sweeteners. LNCS are food additives that are broadly used as sugar substitutes to sweeten foods and beverages with the addition of fewer or no calories. They are also used in medicines, health-care products, such as toothpaste, and food supplements. The goal of this Consensus was to provide a useful, evidence-based, point of reference to assist in efforts to reduce free sugars consumption in line with current international public health recommendations. Participating experts in the Lisbon Consensus analysed and evaluated the evidence in relation to the role of LNCS in food safety, their regulation and the nutritional and dietary aspects of their use in foods and beverages. The conclusions of this Consensus were: (1) LNCS are some of the most extensively evaluated dietary constituents, and their safety has been reviewed and confirmed by regulatory bodies globally including the World Health Organisation, the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority; (2) Consumer education, which is based on the most robust scientific evidence and regulatory processes, on the use of products containing LNCS should be strengthened in a comprehensive and objective way; (3) The use of LNCS in weight reduction programmes that involve replacing caloric sweeteners with LNCS in the context of structured diet plans may favour sustainable weight reduction. Furthermore, their use in diabetes management programmes may contribute to a better glycaemic control in patients, albeit with modest results. LNCS also provide dental health benefits when used in place of free sugars; (4) It is proposed that foods and beverages with LNCS could be included in dietary guidelines as alternative options to products sweetened with free sugars; (5) Continued education of health professionals is required, since they are a key source of information on issues related to food and health for both the general population and patients. With this in mind, the publication of position statements and consensus documents in the academic literature are extremely desirable”.

Para revisar el artículo completo accede a: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073242/

Referencias:

1. Consenso ibero-americano de endulzantes bajos en calorías o no calóricos: seguridad, aspectos nutricionales y beneficios en los alimentos y bebidas. Serra-Majem L, Raposo A, Aranceta-Bartrina J, Varela-Moreiras G, Logue C, Laviada H. Nutrients 2018, 10, 818. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073242/