Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

As dietary guidance and public health measures continue to call for reductions in intake of free sugars to prevent weight gain and cardiometabolic risk, there is growing interest in sugar alternatives or non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) that can sweeten foods and beverages without providing excess calories. However, inconsistent findings in observational studies and clinical trials have obscured dietary guidance regarding NNS, creating confusion among the scientific community and general public. A comprehensive understanding of the evidence on NNS and health is needed to guide practitioners and policy makers in helping the population achieve free sugar targets for optimal health. This one-day thematic conference will address the role of NNS as a replacement for sugars, summarize the evidence on NNS and health outcomes and reconcile the discrepancies.