Researchers looked at what Brazilians ate and drank in 2017-2018 to see how many people use artificial sweeteners (the sugar-free kind). They found that about 1 in 5 Brazilians consume these sweeteners, with more women, older adults, and wealthier people using them. The biggest sources were tabletop sweeteners like packets you add to drinks, diet sodas and juices, and yogurts. Most people who used artificial sweeteners were actually using multiple types at the same time. This study helps explain who’s using these products and where they’re coming from in Brazil.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How many Brazilians use artificial sweeteners (fake sugars), who uses them most, and where these sweeteners come from in their diets
  • Who participated: Data from a large national food survey of Brazilian adolescents (ages 10-18), adults (18-60), and older adults (60+) conducted in 2017-2018. The survey included people from all income levels across the country.
  • Key finding: About 20.6% of Brazilians consumed artificial sweeteners, with higher rates among women (22.7%), older adults (27%), teenagers (24.4%), and wealthier people (30.7% in the highest income group)
  • What it means for you: If you live in Brazil or a similar country, there’s a good chance you’re consuming artificial sweeteners without realizing it—especially if you use diet drinks, yogurts, or tabletop sweetener packets. This study shows these products are common, but more research is needed to understand if this level of consumption is safe or concerning.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of what people ate during a specific time period (2017-2018) rather than following them over years. They used data from Brazil’s national Household Budget Survey, which is like a big survey where thousands of families report what they eat. Researchers asked people to remember everything they ate and drank in a single 24-hour period, then looked at that information to see who consumed artificial sweeteners and how much.

The researchers divided people into groups by age, sex, and income to see if some groups used more artificial sweeteners than others. They also identified which specific sweeteners people used (like aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame K) and where they came from—whether from tabletop packets, diet drinks, yogurts, or other foods.

This type of study is useful for understanding patterns in what people eat across a whole country, but it only shows what people ate on one day, so it might not represent their typical eating habits perfectly.

Understanding who uses artificial sweeteners and where they come from is important because recent research suggests these sweeteners might have health effects we don’t fully understand yet. By mapping out consumption patterns in a large population, public health officials can make better decisions about food labeling, regulations, and health recommendations. This information also helps identify which groups might be exposed to more artificial sweeteners, which is important for future health studies.

This study used data from an official national survey, which is a strength because it represents the whole Brazilian population rather than just a small group. However, the study only captured one day of eating for each person, so it might miss people who use sweeteners occasionally. The researchers relied on people remembering what they ate, which can sometimes be inaccurate. The study is descriptive, meaning it shows what’s happening but doesn’t prove whether artificial sweeteners cause health problems—that would require different types of research.

What the Results Show

About 1 in 5 Brazilians (20.6%) consumed some form of artificial sweetener during the survey period. The use wasn’t evenly distributed across the population. Women were more likely to use artificial sweeteners than men (22.7% vs. lower rates in men). Older adults had the highest consumption rate at 27%, followed by teenagers at 24.4%. Interestingly, wealthier people used artificial sweeteners more than poorer people—those in the highest income group had a 30.7% consumption rate.

The main sources of artificial sweeteners were tabletop sweeteners (the packets or powders you add yourself) at 38.2%, followed closely by diet and light-labeled drinks including diet sodas and diet juices at 25.3%, and yogurts or dairy drinks at 25.1%. This shows that people get artificial sweeteners from multiple sources throughout their diet.

Most people who consumed artificial sweeteners weren’t using just one type—they were mixing different sweeteners. The most common combination included acesulfame K, sucralose, and aspartame. This pattern suggests that people using artificial sweeteners are exposed to multiple types simultaneously, which is important information for health researchers studying safety.

The study found that artificial sweetener consumption was more common in urban areas and among people with higher education levels (since income and education often go together). The pattern of using multiple sweeteners at once was consistent across different age groups, suggesting this is a widespread behavior rather than something specific to one demographic. The research also showed that diet beverages were a major contributor to overall sweetener intake, accounting for about a quarter of all artificial sweetener consumption.

This is one of the first large-scale studies to map artificial sweetener consumption across an entire country using recent data. Previous smaller studies suggested artificial sweeteners were becoming more common, and this research confirms that trend in Brazil. The finding that wealthier people use more artificial sweeteners aligns with other research showing that diet products are often more expensive than regular products. The variety of sweeteners found in Brazilian diets is similar to patterns seen in other countries, suggesting global food companies use similar sweetening strategies worldwide.

The biggest limitation is that this study only captured one day of eating for each person, so it might not reflect their typical diet. Some people might use artificial sweeteners regularly but happened not to on the survey day, while others might have used more than usual. The study relied on people’s memory of what they ate, which can be inaccurate. Additionally, the study shows correlation (who uses sweeteners) but cannot prove cause and effect about health outcomes. The sample size mentioned (25) appears to refer to a specific analysis rather than the full survey population, which was much larger.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, no specific dietary changes are recommended. However, if you’re concerned about artificial sweetener intake, you could: (1) check labels on diet drinks and yogurts to see which sweeteners they contain, (2) consider reducing reliance on tabletop sweeteners by gradually using less, and (3) talk to your doctor if you have specific health concerns. The evidence about artificial sweeteners’ health effects is still evolving, so it’s worth staying informed as new research emerges. Confidence level: Low to moderate, as this study describes consumption patterns but doesn’t prove health effects.

This research is most relevant for: people in Brazil or similar countries with comparable food industries; public health officials making food policy decisions; people who regularly consume diet drinks or use tabletop sweeteners; older adults and women, who this study shows use more artificial sweeteners; and anyone interested in understanding their sweetener exposure. People with specific health conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU) should already be avoiding aspartame and should consult their doctor. This study is less immediately relevant for people in countries with very different food industries or dietary patterns.

This study doesn’t measure health outcomes, so there’s no timeline for seeing benefits or harms. If you were to make changes based on this information, you might notice taste preference changes within 1-2 weeks, but any potential health effects from reducing artificial sweeteners would take much longer to appear and would require medical monitoring.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily artificial sweetener intake by logging: (1) number of diet beverages consumed, (2) tabletop sweetener packets used, and (3) sweetened yogurts or dairy drinks consumed. Rate each on a scale of 0-3 servings per day to identify patterns.
  • Start by identifying your main source of artificial sweeteners from the study’s findings (likely diet drinks, tabletop sweeteners, or yogurts). Pick one source to reduce by 25% each week. For example, if you drink 4 diet sodas daily, reduce to 3 for week one, then 2 for week two. Use the app to track your progress and note any changes in cravings or taste preferences.
  • Weekly check-ins to review total artificial sweetener sources consumed. Create a chart showing which products you used and how often. Set a personal goal (like reducing by 50% in 30 days) and track whether you’re meeting it. Note any other dietary changes you make simultaneously so you can understand what factors influence your sweetener consumption.

This study describes how many Brazilians use artificial sweeteners but does not prove whether these sweeteners are safe or harmful. Recent research suggests artificial sweeteners may have health effects, but more studies are needed to understand the full picture. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your doctor or nutritionist. If you have specific health concerns about artificial sweeteners or are considering making dietary changes, please consult with a healthcare professional. Pregnant women, children, and people with certain medical conditions should speak with their doctor before making changes to sweetener consumption.