A position statement by diabetes in Asia study group on WHO guidelines regarding the use of nonsugar sweeteners

Abstract

The latest International Diabetes Federation atlas estimates 537 million adults living with diabetes, with Asia alone accounting for 60% of the diabetic population of the world. The prevalence is projected to rise by 68% in South East Asia by 2045.[1] The recent ICMR—INDIAB study showed that there are 101 million people with diabetes (PWD) and 136 million people with prediabetes in India. Lifestyle modification with restriction of simple sugars is the cornerstone of managing diabetes. PWD have been routinely using various nonsugar sweeteners (NSS) as a substitute for sugar. These NSS undergo toxicological assessments by various regulatory bodies to establish their acceptable daily intake (ADI). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved many NSS for consumption by the general public, including PWD.