Synthetic sweeteners: are they suitable for children?

There is no doubt that obesity is an epidemic, even among the smallest. And one way to combat it is by reducing sugar consumption among our children.

And then the question arises: can we replace it with artificial sweeteners that do not make you fat?

Before jumping into the pool, It is interesting to know if they are safe and recommended for children. This is what scientific studies and experts in children's nutrition say on the subject.

First mistake: do not lose weight

The SAR defines 'sweeteners' as: "Substances that sweeten food, beverages, medications, etc., such as sugar, saccharin or other low-calorie synthetic products."

And if we remove the sugar, enemy to fight, we are left with the synthetic products.

It's true that they have fewer calories, but still They do not always help us lose pounds or reduce the risk of diabetes.

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According to some studies, it seems that it is because the body reacts to these artificial sweeteners differently than it does with sugar, so it can have negative effects on children.

An extensive article on the subject, published in Time magazine, suggested:

“If the calories do not arrive after the activation of the sweet taste by means of artificial sweeteners and, however, they arrive when the child continues to eat something with sugar, it is possible that the organism is confused and can no longer read precisely when the taste Sweet indicates the entry of calories and when not. ”

Whether or not there is the explanation, it seems clear that it does not meet the ultimate goal of giving our children this type of sweeteners (present in thousands of products considered light and in prepared foods): avoid being overweight.

And still, is it convenient to use?

They are not toxic, but not harmless either

There are many types of sweeteners and there is none better than another, since all those on the market are safe and follow very strict safety controls by food safety agencies: EFSA in Europe and FDA in the US. . That is to say, They are not toxic to children or adults.

In addition, there is no scientific conclusion that the occasional consumption of sweeteners may affect the health of children, but not one that ensures their safety if taken regularly.

In fact, there are children's medications that contain them, as explained in the article of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics "Use of sugars and sweeteners in the child's diet".

However, references are also included in the text that at least reflect on the poor convenience of sweeteners in childhood on an ongoing basis:

  • Some studies have linked the increase in Muscle Mass Index (BMI) with the consumption of acaloric sweeteners, although this data should not be construed as a cause, "but as a sign of the greater probability of consumption in the population with obesity and sedentary lifestyle".

  • The substitution of sugar for sweeteners it is not necessarily associated with a lower overall caloric intake, and could induce unbalanced eating behaviors with high consumption of sweetened and low-calorie products, and others with excess of these. In addition, the sweet taste can create addiction, by stimulating certain areas of the brain.

  • Some authors postulate that the early consumption of sugary products in infants and young children could influence the preference for sweet flavors, a bad eating habit that would continue during childhood and adolescence.

  • The use of sweeteners in the first years could also influence the self-regulation of intake by the body, Breaking the metabolic balance between sport, energy and carbohydrates. The cause? The sweet taste in the mouth sends to the brain the signal that sugars reach the digestive system, which causes the necessary mechanisms to assimilate that sugar, which will not arrive. Therefore, the body is lost and does not know how to act.

  • It has even been suggested that the combined intake of sweeteners and sugars from the diet could induce a neuronal response that conditions a faster absorption of sugars, not helping in diabetes. At the moment diabetic patients can use acaloric sweeteners within a balanced and controlled diet, and studies in adults indicate that they do not affect glucose levels, although it has not yet been sufficiently investigated in children.

Moderate consumption in children

The AEP Nutrition Commission recommends limiting the consumption of sugars or sugary foods to less than three times a day, not exceeding 6% of the total energy consumed, and that of sugary or sweetened beverages, to occasional consumption.

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As regards sweeteners, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), to ensure proper use without the possibility of adverse effects, proposes recommendations for acceptable daily intake in children:

  • Sweeteners are prohibited by European regulations in dairy formulas, cereals or jars, so the AEP Nutrition Committee does not recommend their use in children aged one to three years.

  • In older children, you have to limit The drinks, fruit juices, or dairy products that are sugary or sweetened. In fact, reducing energy in some foods through sweeteners in children seems to have discrete benefits and may even lead to increased consumption of other more caloric foods.

  • In the preschool and school child, the recommendations already described should be maintained, taking into account some added factors, such as the practice of physical activity, which may cause the child to need to recover the lost energy quickly by eating sugar.

Regarding the opinion of the American Academy of Pediatrics, he explains that he does not have an official recommendation on the use of non-caloric sweeteners in children and adolescents, because studies are very limited. That means that, even if they are not toxic, They should not be an important part of our children's diet.

Conclusion: In view of expert studies and recommendations, it seems clear that synthetic sweeteners do not cause health problems for children, provided they are older than three years.

But as there are no conclusive studies, it is better to consume them sporadically and not as a substitute for sugar. The diet of our children must be healthy and include nutritious calories, necessary for the proper development of children.

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