[What is has the artificial sweeteners in indication the food of our diabetics?].

Background: Artificial Sweeteners are food additives increasingly developed by the food industry.

Aim: Study of the consumption of sweeteners in diabetic patients.

Methods: This prospective cross study performed using a questionnaire to 100 patients recruited at random outpatients of the National Institute of Nutrition. Data on the BMI,the blood sugar were found in clinical records.

Results: 94% of diabetics have at least heard of sweeteners and 50% use it regularly. Sweetener table are the most consumed sweeteners, in order of frequency Saccharin, Sucralose and Aspartame, used to sweeten coffee and tea. The trade products "light" are consumed by 29% of patients. Yet consumers have no real information on these products. There was no statistically significant correlation between the consumption of sweeteners and BMI, balance and diabetes evolution. A statistically significant correlation was found between consumption and socio-economic and cultural development of patients.

Conclusion: The education of diabetic patients should include information of patients on these sweeteners, their interest, their against-indications and adverse reactions.