Data about harms or benefits associated with the consumption of
aspartame, a nonnutritive
sweetener worldwide consumed, are still controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials aimed to assess the effect of
aspartame consumption on metabolic parameters related to diabetes and
obesity. The search was performed on Cochrane, LILACS, PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science databases, and on a gray literature using Open Grey, Google Scholar, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. Searches across all databases were conducted from the earliest available date up to April 13, 2016, without date and language restrictions. Pooled mean differences were calculated using a random or fixed-effects model for heterogeneous and homogenous studies, respectively. Twenty-nine articles were included in qualitative synthesis and twelve, presenting numeric results, were used in meta-analysis. Fasting
blood glucose (mmol/L),
insulin levels (μU/mL), total
cholesterol (mmol/L),
triglycerides concentrations (mmol/L),
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mmol/L),
body weight (kg), and energy intake (MJ) were considered as the main outcomes in subjects that consumed
aspartame, and results were presented as mean difference; % confidence interval, range.
Aspartame consumption was not associated with alterations on
blood glucose levels compared to control (-0.03 mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.21 to 0.14) or to
sucrose (0.31 mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.05 to 0.67) and on
insulin levels compared to control (0.13 μU/mL; 95% CI, -0.69 to 0.95) or to
sucrose (2.54 μU/mL; 95% CI, -6.29 to 11.37). Total
cholesterol was not affected by
aspartame consumption compared to control (-0.02 mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.31 to 0.27) or to
sucrose (-0.24 mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.89 to 0.42).
Triglycerides concentrations were not affected by
aspartame consumption compared to control (0.00 mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.04 to 0.05) or to
sucrose (0.00 mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.09).
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol serum levels were higher on
aspartame compared to control (-0.03 mmol/L; 95% CI, -0.06 to -0.01) and lower on
aspartame compared to
sucrose (0.05 mmol/L; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.09).
Body weight did not change after
aspartame consumption compared to control (5.00 kg; 95% CI, -1.56 to 11.56) or to
sucrose (3.78 kg; 95% CI, -2.18 to 9.74). Energy intake was not altered by
aspartame consumption compared to control (-0.49 MJ; 95% CI, -1.21 to 0.22) or to
sucrose (-0.17 MJ; 95% CI, -2.03 to 1.69). Data concerning effects of
aspartame on main metabolic variables associated to diabetes and
obesity do not support a beneficial related to its consumption.