Can aspartame help people lose weight?

More than 144 million adult Americans use low-calorie sweeteners as part of an overall sensible weight-control program. Low-calorie sweeteners enable consumers to lose and maintain weight, as well as reduce the risks associated with obesity. Health professionals agree that the key to losing weight is to burn more calories than are consumed, either by increasing physical activity or consuming fewer calories. Low-calorie sweeteners, such as aspartame, offer a means to control calories. Researchers at Harvard Medical School concluded that aspartame "is a valuable adjunct to a comprehensive program of balanced diet, exercise and behavior modifications for losing weight."

Scientific evidence also supports the weight-loss benefits of aspartame. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated whether using aspartame as part of a weight management program improved weight loss and maintenance. In the study, 163 obese women were randomly assigned to either use or not use aspartame-sweetened foods and beverages during four months of a weight-loss program, and also during a one-year weight maintenance program and a 2-year follow up period. During the weight loss program, women in both groups lost about 22 pounds. During the weight maintenance program and the follow-up period, both groups regained some weight. However, women who used aspartame gained back significantly less weight than did women who did not use aspartame (6 pounds versus 21 pounds). At the study’s end, the aspartame users lost significantly more weight overall, suggesting that aspartame can be a helpful part of a weight loss and weight maintenance program.