Welcome to the CNS 2024 Thematic Conference

Advances in Research & Practice -
Non-nutritive sweeteners & health:
Unravelling the evidence & controversy

Join us as we navigate a path forward for low calorie sweeteners.  

Conference co-chairs:

John Sievenpiper, MD, FRCPC, PhD - University of Toronto
Vasanti Malik, PhD - University of Toronto

As dietary guidance and public health measures continue to call for reductions in intake of free sugars to prevent weight gain and cardiometabolic risk, there is growing interest in sugar alternatives or non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) - commonly known as low calorie sweeteners - that can sweeten foods and beverages without providing excess calories. However, inconsistent findings in observational studies and clinical trials have obscured dietary guidance regarding these low calorie sweeteners, creating confusion among the scientific community and general public. A comprehensive understanding of the evidence on NNS and health is needed to guide practitioners and policy makers in helping the population achieve free sugar targets for optimal health.   

This one-day thematic conference will address the role of low calorie sweeteners as a replacement for sugars, summarize the evidence on health outcomes and help navigate a path forward.  

Conference learning objectives:

By the end of this conference, attendees will be able to:

1. Identify and appreciate different policy strategies for total/free sugar reduction in Canada and globally.
2. Know what non-nutritive sweeteners  (NNS) / low calorie sweeteners are, whether they are safe to use and public perceptions surrounding their use and safety.
3. Reconcile inconsistencies in the evidence on low calorie sweeteners and health from clinical trials and observational studies that form the basis of NNS guidelines 
4. Understand putative biological mechanisms linking low calorie sweeteners to health outcomes and metabolic effects of different types of NNS.

NOW ACCREDITED!

Under the auspices of Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and the Canadian Nutrition Society: 

College of Family Physicians of Canada - Mainpro+: (Cert+ ID# 201555-001)

This one-credit-per-hour Group Learning program meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto for up to 6.0 Mainpro+ credits.

Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Section 1

This event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, approved by Continuing Professional Development, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. You may claim up to a maximum of 6.0 Section 1 hours (credits are automatically calculated).

Each participant should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent participating in the educational program.

Attendees will receive a letter of accreditation following the conference.