Olaitan Bobade: Redefining nutrition through sweet science

Olaitan Bobade 4 — Olaitan Bobade holds the standardized study breakfast (containing either artificial sweeteners or regular sugar) that is provided to the participants in her study on the effects of non-sugar sweeteners on people at risk for diabetes. Photo courtesy of Olaitan Bobade.

This piece was written in the fall of 2024 by GRAD 5144 (Communicating Science) student Zia Crytser as part of an assignment to interview a classmate and write a news story about her research.

Most humans have a natural love for sweet foods – but is there a healthier way to satisfy our cravings? Olaitan Bobade, a Nigerian-born dietitian, is making significant strides in the field of nutrition and health sciences with her expertise in “sweet science,” exploring the impacts of artificial sweeteners and reshaping our understanding of healthy eating.

This passion for improving health outcomes through diet and nutrition has been a guiding force throughout Bobade’s professional journey. After graduating in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, she pursued a path that was relatively uncommon in Nigeria at the time, where the field of dietetics was still emerging. In 2021, Bobade became a registered dietitian following a year-long internship, solidifying her commitment to promoting health through diet.

Olaitan Bobade 5 — Olaitan Bobade worked as a consulting nutritionist in her home country of Nigeria before coming to Virginia Tech. Photo courtesy of Olaitan Bobade.

Bobade’s early career highlights include coordinating a National Institutes of Health-funded research project that examined the disproportionate impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on people of African descent. The study addressed critical health disparities by shedding light on how CKD uniquely affects African populations, providing data that could help inform the development of more equitable healthcare practices and interventions.

Currently, Bobade is a second-year master’s degree student in Virginia Tech’s Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. Her research centers on the acute effects of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) on blood glucose concentrations (glycemia) in middle-aged and older adults with prediabetes. By giving NSS to participants over 40 who do not regularly consume artificial sweeteners, Bobade will be able to directly observe how these non-sugar sweeteners may impact glycemia. Through studying sweeteners like acesulfame-potassium, aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin, Bobade seeks to shed light on how these commonly consumed sweeteners affect individuals who are at risk of developing diabetes.

Olaitan Bobade 6 — Olaitan Bobade processes blood samples to check for glycemic markers (for example, glucose and insulin). Photo courtesy of Olaitan Bobade.

Bobade acknowledges that her research has not been without challenges. Recruiting participants who meet the study’s eligibility criteria, as well as managing the demanding logistics of a controlled feeding study design, requires perseverance and adaptability. Despite these hurdles, she thrives on the personal connections she forms with her participants and sees each interaction as an opportunity to make a difference in their understanding of their health.

Beyond the science, Bobade aims to change perceptions around non-sugar sweeteners. While many in the public and healthcare community are quick to vilify artificial sweeteners, Bobade advocates for a balanced approach. She believes that food, in general, should not be demonized but enjoyed in moderation. Through her research, she hopes to clarify the role that these sweeteners can play in dietary management, offering a nuanced understanding that could reshape how these products are viewed within nutrition science. Her findings could inform guidelines and practices for healthcare professionals, influencing how they advise patients who are managing conditions like prediabetes.