Abstract
Background
In connection with attempts to reduce consumption of added sugar, consumption of non-nutritive (or low caloric) sweeteners (NNS) is likely to increse in many countries. In addition to variety of NNS, limited evidence on public health effects related to NNS exist. Thus, it remains important to monitor consumption of added sugar and sweeteners in our societies. As Lithuania and Poland are neighbor countries with similar culture and nutritional habits, the objective of this study was to compare consumption of sweeteners among adults in Lithuania and Poland.
Methods
A representative sample of Lithuanian population of adults aged 18 to 75 years was formed. A total number of 1008 residents from Lithuania participated. Distribution of them by answers about consumption of added sugar and sweeteners was assessed with respect to results of the survey conducted in central part of Poland where a group of 2000 adult respondents was investigated.
Results
Majority of respondents in both countries declared consumption of added sugar: 79.3% and 87.4% of Lithuanian and Polish respondents, respectively (p-value less than 0.05). Apart from sugar, majority of the respondents in Lithuania declared consumption of honey or fructose (respectively, 78.1% and 43.4%), consumption of other sweeteners such as saccharin, stevia, corn syrup, aspartame and sucralose were less prevalent (respectively, 30.9%, 18.2%, 9.5%, 9.0%, 3.4%). In Poland, 41.8% of respondents declared consumption of products containing stevia. Distribution of Poles by answers to the question which sweetener they used most often was 26.6%, 23.6%, 15.6%, 12.3% for stevia, xylitol, aspartame and fructose, respectively. Honey, acesulfame K, thaumatin and other substances were used by a lower percentage of Polish respondents.
Conclusions
Despite cultural similarities consumption of added sugar and sweeteners among adults differed significantly in two neighbor counties: Lithuania and Poland.
Key messages
In comparison to Lithuania, consumption of added sugar, xylitol and natural non-nutritive but intense sweetener stevia was more prevalent in Poland. In comparison to Poland, consumption of added sugar was less prevalent, but non-intense and high in calories sweeteners were more prevalent in Lithuania.