The Effect of Artificial Sweeteners (AFS) on Sweetness Sensitivity and Preference - Pilot

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Impairment of Oral Perception
• Interventions: Dietary Supplement: Sucrose; Dietary Supplement: Sucralose

• Registration Number: NCT02335008
• Lead Sponsor: Yale University

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that repeated consumption of artificial sweetener reduces sweet taste intensity.

Detailed Description

Significant controversy surrounds the possibility that consumption of artificial sweeteners (AFS) leads to weight gain. Some studies have found correlations between AFS use and weight gain and/or diabetes \[1-4\] while others have indicated that AFSs may aid in weight loss \[5\] or have no effects on body mass index (BMI) \[6\]. In rats, exposure to AFS leads to reduced chow intake following a sweet preload \[7, 8\], higher body weight \[9, 10\] and increased glucose responses and decreased GLP1 release following an oral glucose tolerance test \[11\] compared to exposure to caloric sweeteners. Given that the five FDA approved AFSs are found in thousands of foods \[12\] this marks a clear and significant gap in knowledge. Our preliminary data demonstrate a 3-fold decrease in sweet taste sensitivity following consumption of a beverage sweetened with two packets of Splenda for just 10 days. These data provide strong evidence that repeated exposure to sucralose reduces perception of sweet taste intensity, most likely by down-regulation of the sweet taste receptor. Therefore, it is imperative that we gain a greater understanding of the consequences of AFS use, since alterations in sweet taste perception that occur in response to AFS exposure may promote weight gain.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2014-09
• Study First Submitted: 2014-10-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2015-01-08
• Study First Posted: 2015-01-09
• Status Verified: 2015-07
• Primary Completion: 2015-07
• Study Completion: 2015-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-07-14
• Last Update Posted: 2015-07-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Healthy
• Fluent in English

Read More

Exclusion Criteria

• History of oral nerve damage,
• presence of known taste or smell disorder,
• food allergies or sensitivities (for example nuts, lactose, artificial sweeteners),
• history of CNS disease,
• diabetes,
• history of DSM-IV major psychiatric disorder, including alcohol and substance abuse, chronic use of medication that may affect taste,
• conditions that may interfere with gustatory or olfactory perception (colds, seasonal allergies, recent smoking history),
• aberrant stimulus ratings,
• contra-indication for fMRI,
• uncomfortable swallowing in supine position.

Read More

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Sucrose	Sucrose	Participants will rate sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness and umami intensity of various taste stimuli. Next they will consume a flavored beverage with sucrose.
Sucralose	Sucralose	Participants will rate sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness and umami intensity of various taste stimuli. Next they will consume a flavored beverage with sucralose.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Ratings of taste sensitivity	up to one week after intervention	general labeled magnitude scale ratings of taste intensity

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The John B Pierce Laboratory; 🇺🇸 New Haven, Connecticut, United States