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1.
Effects of Non-nutritive Sweeteners on Sweet Taste Processing and Neuroendocrine Regulation of Eating Behavior.
Yunker, AG, Patel, R, Page, KA
Current nutrition reports. 2020;(3):278-289
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are increasingly used as a replacement for nutritive sugars as means to quench the desire for "sweets" while contributing few or no dietary calories. However, there is concern that NNS may uncouple the evolved relationship between sweet taste and post-ingestive neuroendocrine signaling. In this review, we examine the effects of NNS exposure on neural and peripheral systems in humans. RECENT FINDINGS NNS exposure during early development may influence sweet taste preferences, and NNS consumption might increase motivation for sweet foods. Neuroimaging studies provide evidence that NNS elicit differential neuronal responsivity in areas related to reward and satiation, compared with caloric sweeteners. Findings are heterogenous regarding whether NNS affect physiological responses. Additional studies are warranted regarding the consequences of NNS on metabolic outcomes and neuroendocrine pathways. Given the widespread popularity of NNS, future studies are essential to establish their role in long-term health.
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2.
Determinants of Sweetness Preference: A Scoping Review of Human Studies.
Venditti, C, Musa-Veloso, K, Lee, HY, Poon, T, Mak, A, Darch, M, Juana, J, Fronda, D, Noori, D, Pateman, E, et al
Nutrients. 2020;(3)
Abstract
Factors associated with sweetness preference are multi-faceted and incredibly complex. A scoping review was undertaken to identify determinants of sweetness preference in humans. Using an online search tool, ProQuest ™, a total of 99 publications were identified and subsequently grouped into the following categories of determinants: Age, dietary factors, reproductive hormonal factors, body weight status, heritable, weight loss, sound, personality, ethnicity and lifestyle, previous exposure, disease, and 'other' determinants. Methodologies amongst studies were heterogenous in nature (e.g., there was variability across studies in the sweetness concentrations tested, the number of different sweetness concentrations used to assess sweetness preference, and the methods utilized to measure sweetness preference), rendering interpretation of overall findings challenging; however, for certain determinants, the evidence appeared to support predictive capacity of greater sweetness preference, such as age during certain life-stages (i.e., young and old), being in a hungry versus satiated state, and heritable factors (e.g., similar sweetness preferences amongst family members). Recommendations for the design of future studies on sweetness preference determinants are provided herein, including an "investigator checklist" of criteria to consider.
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3.
Neuroendocrine and Metabolic Effects of Low-Calorie and Non-Calorie Sweeteners.
Moriconi, E, Feraco, A, Marzolla, V, Infante, M, Lombardo, M, Fabbri, A, Caprio, M
Frontiers in endocrinology. 2020;:444
Abstract
Since excessive sugar consumption has been related to the development of chronic metabolic diseases prevalent in the western world, the use of sweeteners has gradually increased worldwide over the last few years. Although low- and non-calorie sweeteners may represent a valuable tool to reduce calorie intake and prevent weight gain, studies investigating the safety and efficacy of these compounds in the short- and long-term period are scarce and controversial. Therefore, future studies will need to elucidate the potential beneficial and/or detrimental effects of different types of sweeteners on metabolic health (energy balance, appetite, body weight, cardiometabolic risk factors) in healthy subjects and patients with diabetes, obesity and metabolic syndrome. In this regard, the impact of different sweeteners on central nervous system, gut hormones and gut microbiota is important, given the strong implications that changes in such systems may have for human health. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the current evidence for the neuroendocrine and metabolic effects of sweeteners, as well as their impact on gut microbiota. Finally, we briefly discuss the advantages of the use of sweeteners in the context of very-low calorie ketogenic diets.
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4.
Evaluation of aspartame cancer epidemiology studies based on quality appraisal criteria.
Haighton, L, Roberts, A, Jonaitis, T, Lynch, B
Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP. 2019;:352-362
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Abstract
Given the widespread use of the low-calorie sweetener aspartame over the last 30 years, the current work was undertaken to evaluate aspartame epidemiology studies looking at cancer endpoints against quality appraisal criteria. The quality appraisal tool used was from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institute of Health. Studies identified included nine case-control studies and five prospective cohort studies. Most studies assessed low-calorie or diet beverages rather than aspartame intake specifically; however, common use of aspartame in diet sodas does allow for some general extrapolation of results. Following consideration of study quality, two case-control and five prospective studies were considered to meet the majority of the NHLBI criteria. The primary limitation of the other case-control studies was an inadequate sample size. Overall, the results of the studies do not support that exposures to low and no-calorie sweeteners and beverages, and by extension aspartame, are associated with an increased risk of cancer in humans.
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5.
Sucrose isomers as alternative sweeteners: properties, production, and applications.
Tian, Y, Deng, Y, Zhang, W, Mu, W
Applied microbiology and biotechnology. 2019;(21-22):8677-8687
Abstract
In the daily diet, sweeteners play an indispensable role. Among them, sucrose, a widely occurring disaccharide in nature, is a commonly used sweetener. However, the intake of sucrose can cause a rapid increase in blood glucose, which leads to a number of health problems. Therefore, there is an urgent need for possible alternatives to sucrose. Currently, four naturally occurring sucrose isomers, trehalulose, turanose, leucrose, and isomaltulose are considered to be possible alternatives to sucrose due to their suitable sweetness, potential physiological benefits, and feasible production processes. This review covers the properties of these alternative sweeteners, including their structure, sweetness, hydrolysis rate, toxicology, and cariogenicity, and exhibits their potential applications in chronic diseases management, anti-inflammatory supplement, prebiotic dietary supplement, and stabilizing agent. The biosynthesis of these sucrose isomers using carbohydrate-active enzymes and their industrial production processes are also systematically summarized.
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Xylitol's Health Benefits beyond Dental Health: A Comprehensive Review.
Salli, K, Lehtinen, MJ, Tiihonen, K, Ouwehand, AC
Nutrients. 2019;(8)
Abstract
Xylitol has been widely documented to have dental health benefits, such as reducing the risk for dental caries. Here we report on other health benefits that have been investigated for xylitol. In skin, xylitol has been reported to improve barrier function and suppress the growth of potential skin pathogens. As a non-digestible carbohydrate, xylitol enters the colon where it is fermented by members of the colonic microbiota; species of the genus Anaerostipes have been reported to ferment xylitol and produce butyrate. The most common Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species do not appear to be able to grow on xylitol. The non-digestible but fermentable nature of xylitol also contributes to a constipation relieving effect and improved bone mineral density. Xylitol also modulates the immune system, which, together with its antimicrobial activity contribute to a reduced respiratory tract infection, sinusitis, and otitis media risk. As a low caloric sweetener, xylitol may contribute to weight management. It has been suggested that xylitol also increases satiety, but these results are not convincing yet. The benefit of xylitol on metabolic health, in addition to the benefit of the mere replacement of sucrose, remains to be determined in humans. Additional health benefits of xylitol have thus been reported and indicate further opportunities but need to be confirmed in human studies.
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The sweet taste signalling pathways in the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract affect human appetite and food intake: a review.
Han, P, Bagenna, B, Fu, M
International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2019;(2):125-135
Abstract
Sweet taste is associated with food reward and energy source in the form of carbohydrate. Excessive sweet consumption is blamed for the prevalence of obesity. However, evidence for the potential of sweet taste to influence food intake and bodyweight regulation in humans remains unclear. The purpose of this review was to examine the physiological responses relevant to sweet taste mechanisms and the impact on appetite control. The literature was examined for studies that assessed the effects of non-nutritive sweeteners and natural sugars on hormonal secretions and neural activations via oral and gastrointestinal pathways. The findings indicated that a network of sweet taste signalling pathways in the oral cavity and the gut seem to mediate hormonal responses and some metabolism differences in neural circus that orchestrating the hunger-satiety cycle. Individual variations of sweet taste perception which is modulated by hormonal and genetic factors have been associated with dietary nutrient and sugar consumption.
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8.
Nanoantenna enhanced terahertz interaction of biomolecules.
Adak, S, Tripathi, LN
The Analyst. 2019;(21):6172-6192
Abstract
Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is a non-invasive, non-contact and label-free technique for biological and chemical sensing as THz-spectra are less energetic and lie in the characteristic vibration frequency regime of proteins and DNA molecules. However, THz-TDS is less sensitive for the detection of micro-organisms of size equal to or less than λ/100 (where, λ is the wavelength of the incident THz wave), and molecules in extremely low concentration solutions (like, a few femtomolar). After successful high-throughput fabrication of nanostructures, nanoantennas were found to be indispensable in enhancing the sensitivity of conventional THz-TDS. These nanostructures lead to strong THz field enhancement when in resonance with the absorption spectrum of absorptive molecules, causing significant changes in the magnitude of the transmission spectrum, therefore, enhancing the sensitivity and allowing the detection of molecules and biomaterials in extremely low concentration solutions. Herein, we review the recent developments in ultra-sensitive and selective nanogap biosensors. We have also provided an in-depth review of various high-throughput nanofabrication techniques. We also discussed the physics behind the field enhancements in the sub-skin depth as well as sub-nanometer sized nanogaps. We introduce finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation tools to study THz biomolecular interactions. Finally, we provide a comprehensive account of nanoantenna enhanced sensing of viruses (like, H1N1) and biomolecules such as artificial sweeteners which are addictive and carcinogenic.
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Evolution of complex, discreet nutrient sensing pathways.
Mehat, K, Corpe, CP
Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care. 2018;(4):289-293
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review summarizes and discusses current research on differences elicited between sugars and nonnutritive sweeteners via sugar-sensing pathways. RECENT FINDINGS Sugars, sweeteners, and sweetening agents are all perceived as sweet tasting because of their ability to bind to the type 1 taste receptor family of sweet taste receptors in the oral cavity. The ability of a wide variety of chemical ligands to activate the sweet taste receptor highlights the importance of sweet-tasting foods during human evolution. The sweet taste receptor has been located in the gut, and differences between oral and gut sugar-sensing pathways are discussed. SUMMARY Differences in the sweetness transduction cascade, and neuronal signalling may result in incretin hormone release upon activation of the sweet taste receptor from some sweeteners, but not others.
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10.
Rebalancing the Caries Microbiome Dysbiosis: Targeted Treatment and Sugar Alcohols.
Zhan, L
Advances in dental research. 2018;(1):110-116
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Abstract
Dental caries is a disease that results from microbiome dysbiosis with the involvement of multiple cariogenic species, including mutans streptococci (MS), lactobacilli, Scardovia wiggsiae, and several Actinomyces species that have the cariogenic traits of acid production and acid tolerance. Sugar consumption also plays an important role interacting with microbiome dysbiosis, determining the fate of caries development. In addition, the MS transmission that encompasses multiple sources can have long-term impacts on the oral microbiome and caries development in children. Intervention in MS transmission in early childhood may promote effective long-term caries prevention. Anticaries regimens aimed against the above mechanisms will be important for successful caries management. Xylitol and erythritol may serve as good components of anticaries regimens as oral microbiome modifiers, sugar substitutes, and agents to prevent MS transmission in early childhood with both oral and systemic benefits. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of the anticaries effects of xylitol and erythritol with consideration of their impacts on the microbiome and bacterial virulence, in addition to cariogenic bacteria levels as well as their benefits for overall health. On the other hand, the anticaries agent C16G2, specifically targeting Streptococcus mutans, the most common cariogenic bacterial species, has shown good safety for short-term oral topical use and promising effects in reducing S. mutans in vitro and in vivo with the promotion of oral commensal bacteria. Future study on its anticaries effect will need to include its long-term impact on the oral microbiome and effects on other important cariogenic bacteria.