Artificial Sweeteners Consumption among Alexandria University Students, Egypt
Background: The consumption of artificial sweeteners has increased in many countries worldwide. In the Arab world, there is little data about consumption pattern of artificial sweeteners especially among university students for their own eating practices and behaviors. Objective(s): This study ai...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Alexandria University
2017-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of High Institute of Public Health |
| Subjects: |
| Summary: | Background: The consumption of artificial sweeteners has increased in many countries worldwide.
In the Arab world, there is little data about consumption pattern of artificial sweeteners especially
among university students for their own eating practices and behaviors.
Objective(s): This study aimed to identify the rate of artificial sweetener consumption among
Alexandria University students, and to determine its levels in relation to acceptable daily intake
(ADI) set by Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out including 400 Alexandria University students of
both sexes. The studied sample was equally allocated and randomly selected from four faculties.
Data on demographic characteristics, medical history, dietary pattern, and pattern of artificial
sweeteners usage were collected from each participant.
Results: The consumption of artificial sweeteners was reported by 31% of Alexandria University
students. The most commonly consumed types of artificial sweeteners were Sucralose (0.59±0.2
mg/kg body weight/day) followed by Aspartame (0.03±0.01 mg/kg body weight/day). Daily levels
of consumed artificial sweeteners in relation to ADI levels were 11.86±4.2% for Sucralose and
0.05±0.02% for Aspartame.
Conclusion: Daily level of consumed artificial sweeteners by Alexandria University students was
less than ADI set by the FDA. Further follow up studies are needed to investigate possible side
effects of long term artificial sweeteners usage. Furthermore, large epidemiological studies must be
carried out to investigate artificial sweeteners consumption pattern among different age groups. |
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| ISSN: | 2357-0601 2357-061X |