Beneficial Effects of Consuming a Natural Zero Calorie Sweetener Preload Prior to Lunch on Energy Intake: A Double-blind Randomised Crossover Study (FS18-01-19)

Objectives Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are zero- or low-calorie alternatives to caloric sugars and substituting caloric sweeteners with NNS is expected to reduce energy intake. The aim of this study was to examine appetite and food intake following the consumption of a beverage preload containing a natural zero calorie sweetener or caloric sweeteners (sugars). Methods This was a randomised controlled double-blind crossover study. Healthy participants (n = 20, 9 males, mean body mass index 21.8 kg/m2) completed five separate visits, corresponding to five study beverages: 330 mL of water (control-no calories and no taste) and either 330 mL of water containing 40 g glucose or sucrose (sweet taste and calories), maltodextrin (calories and no sweet taste), or 240 ppm all natural sweetener, stevia (Truvia RA-95-sweet taste and no calories). Subjective appetite ratings and blood glucose was measured at baseline and then study beverages were administered, with appetite ratings and blood glucose again measured at 15, 30 and 60 minutes. At 30 minutes participants were offered an ad libitum lunch and food intake was measured. Results Stevia and glucose preloads were rated to have equal sweetness levels, while water and maltodextrin the lowest levels of sweetness. Only glucose, sucrose and maltodextrin elevated blood glucose. Both calories and sweet taste affected appetite as there was a significant effect on suppressed subjective appetite ratings following the stevia and caloric preloads compared to water at 15 and 30 minutes postprandially. Compared to water preload, food intake was significantly lower after the consumption of each of the sweet or caloric preloads. Analysis of cumulative energy intake (preload and lunch) showed that total energy intake was lower after the stevia preload compared to the water preload with no differences between the water and caloric preloads (Figure 1). Conclusions This study, found a beneficial effect of a stevia beverage consumed prior to a meal on appetite and subsequent energy intake compared to water. This study was registered in clinicaltrial.gov as NCT03711084. Funding Sources This research was supported by a BBSRC Case Studentship. Supporting Tables Images and/or Graphs