The use of alternative sweeteners (sucralose and stevia) in healthy soft-drink beverages, enhances the bioavailability of polyphenols relative to the classical caloric sucrose

The comparison of non-caloric sweeteners (stevia and sucralose) and sucrose, on the plasma concentration and cumulative effects of phenolic compounds, was achieved. A long-term intervention, consisting of the daily intake of 330 mL of healthy citrus-maqui soft drinks, for 60 days, by 138 healthy overweight adults, was followed. A total of 24 bioavailable metabolites derived from caffeic acid, 3,4-di-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, hippuric acid, naringenin, 2,4,6-tri-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and vanillic acid were detected in peripheral blood plasma. A similar augment of bioactive compounds in plasma concentrations were found for the three beverages, in the range 12.3% (day 0)-85.3% (day 60), depending on the analyte considered. Due to this, the present study highlights sucralose and stevia as valuable alternatives to sucrose, providing and non significantly different plasma concentration and cumulative effect in the plasma, thus contributing to prevent a diversity of metabolic disorders and health constraints.

Automated summary

Comparing non-caloric sweeteners (stevia and sucralose) with sucrose in terms of plasma concentration and cumulative effects of phenolic compounds, the study found that sucralose and stevia are valuable alternatives to sucrose, contributing to preventing metabolic disorders and promoting health. The research revealed a similar increase in bioactive compounds in plasma concentrations across the three beverages, showing positive effects on healthy overweight adults.