Level 4: Noncalorically Sweetened Beverages

The Noncalorically Sweetened Beverages

These items (diet sodas and other diet drinks) are preferable to calorically sweetened beverages because they provide water and sweetness but no calories. The FDA-approved noncaloric sweeteners are considered safe although, other than FDA surveillance data, there is no evidence from long-term studies in humans available to this Panel. Beverages sweetened with noncaloric sweeteners were associated with weight loss when ingested in amounts similar to calorically sweetened beverages, where weight gain and increased blood pressure occurred. New studies are emerging that suggest the high sweetness in these beverages may condition people for a high preference for sweetness, and therefore these noncalorically sweetened beverages would be less desirable than water, tea, or coffee.

The Panel recommends 0 to 32 fluid ounces of noncalorically sweetened beverages daily (tea can be substituted for coffee with regard to caffeine limitation).

Calories and Caffeine Content of Noncalorically Sweetened Beverages