Attitudes toward artificial sweetener consumption among Czech adults: a cross-sectional survey

Background The increasing consumption of caloric sweeteners has been associated with the development of non-communicable diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Artificial sweeteners may represent a suitable alternative. However, their acceptance among consumers remains limited. Objective This study aimed to assess attitudes toward artificial sweetener consumption among the population of the Czech Republic. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey entitled “Attitudes of Respondents Toward the Consumption of Artificial Sweeteners” was conducted among 147 participants from the general population. The collected data were statistically analyzed to evaluate respondents' perceptions of artificial sweeteners compared with caloric sweeteners. Results Only 12% of respondents considered artificial sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, acesulfame K, sucralose) to be healthier than caloric sweeteners, indicating a persistent preference for high-energy sweeteners such as sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, and glucose syrup. The majority of respondents preferred sugar-sweetened beverages and reported limited awareness of the types of sweeteners used in foods and beverages. Conclusion These findings suggest that misconceptions and negative perceptions of artificial sweeteners remain prevalent among consumers. Increasing public awareness through targeted educational strategies may help improve understanding of the safety and potential benefits of artificial sweeteners and support efforts to reduce the intake of caloric sweeteners.