Program Description

The metabolism and health effects of both sugars and non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) remain controversial.  Fructose containing sugars are particularly controversial.  It has been argued that the fructose moiety in commonly consumed sugars such as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose may increase the risk of dyslipidemias, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and both hepatic and whole body insulin resistance due to differences in metabolism between fructose and glucose in the liver.

Non-nutritive sweeteners have been involved in recent controversies as well.  The role of NNSs in weight management and obesity is hotly debated.  A recent study in rodents suggested that NNS consumption alters gut microbiota leading to increased glucose.

This symposium will provide a broad consensus of current knowledge about sweeteners and health, present results from recent studies including randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta analyses and outline gaps in current knowledge and directions for future research.

Recorded presentations linked below.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:

• Understand whether or not there is a linkage between sugar consumption and obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease as well as other metabolic diseases.
• Explore recent data from randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta analyses.
• Understand the role of NNS in appetite and whether or not there are linkages between NNS consumption and chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

ASN designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 CPEUs. Dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ASN (Provider #NS010) is accredited and approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) as a provider of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) programs for Registered Dietitians.

Learning Level 2

Suggested Learning Codes:

4040: Disease prevention
2070: Macronutrients: carbohydrate, fat, protein, fiber, water
2000: Science of food and nutrition
4000: Wellness and public health

Please fill out the evaluation below in order to claim credit. 

Click here for CPE Evaluation!

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) FAQ for Dietitians.

Agenda

Chair

James O. Hill, PhD

Presentations

The relationship of sugar consumption to obesity and diabetes: Results of recent systematic reviews and meta analyses. John L. Sievenpiper, MD, PhD, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada

Relationship between sugar consumption and cardiovascular risk factors: Results of recent randomized controlled trials. James M. Rippe, MD, Rippe Lifestyle Institute, Shrewsbury, MA

The relationship between non-nutritive sweeteners and chronic disease: Current understandings. John D. Fernstrom, PhD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA