Perceptions of Beverages With Non-nutritive Sweeteners Among Indigenous Adults Living in Manitoba and Implications for Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of Indigenous adults on consuming beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners.

Methods: In this work, we used a community-based, participatory design in partnership with National Indigenous Diabetes Association, Four Arrows Regional Health Authority, and Fearless R2W. We conducted 74 qualitative interviews with Indigenous adults living in Manitoba, including Island Lake First Nations (n=39), Flin Flon (n=15), and the North End neighbourhood of Winnipeg (n=20). Data were indexed in NVivo, and transcripts were analyzed thematically.

Results: Participants exclusively discussed beverages with non-nutritive sweeteners (BNNSs) as an alternative to regular pop or sugary drinks, which were widely available, accessible, and consumed. Why or how BNNSs were viewed as an alternative comprised 3 subthemes: an alternative for health reasons; divergent taste preferences; and an alternative with mysterious but negative health effects. Participants who reported regular consumption of BNNSs largely described consuming them to manage type 2 diabetes. Fewer participants discussed BNNS as a means of weight management or as a preventive health behaviour. Participants who did not report regular BNNS consumption described not liking the taste of BNNSs. Finally, many participants described negative health impacts of consuming BNNSs, and specifically aspartame, although few articulated what those negative impacts were.

Conclusions: Divergent perspectives among Indigenous adults regarding the health implications of consuming BNNSs may reflect ongoing scholarly debates. These findings have implications for the prevention and dietary management of type 2 diabetes in Indigenous communities.

Keywords: Indigenous; autochtones; boissons sucrées; diabetes stigma; diabète de type 2; food security; non-nutritive sweetener; stigmatisation du diabète; sugar-sweetened beverages; sécurité alimentaire; type 2 diabetes; édulcorant non nutritif.