Can sweeteners raise your appetite level? Study provides insights

The research trial, led by the University of Leeds in collaboration with The Rhône-Alpes Research Center for Human Nutrition, found that consuming food containing sweeteners produced a similar reduction in appetite sensations and appetite-related hormone responses as sugary foods - and provides some benefits such as lowering blood sugar, which may be particularly important in people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the use of sweeteners in place of sugar in foods can be controversial due to conflicting reports about their potential to increase appetite.

“Simply restricting sugar from foods without substitution may negatively impact its taste or increase sweet cravings, resulting in difficulties sticking to a low-sugar diet. Replacing sugars with sweeteners and sweetness enhancers in food products is one of the most widely used dietary and food manufacturing strategies to reduce sugar intake and improve the nutritional profile of commercial foods and beverages.” said lead author Catherine Gibbons, Associate Professor in the University of Leeds’ School of Psychology.

The study examined the effects of consuming biscuits with different sweeteners on 53 overweight or obese adults. The trial included three two-week periods where participants ate biscuits with sugar, natural sweetener Stevia, or artificial sweetener Neotame. Baseline measurements were taken before and after consuming the biscuits, including glucose, insulin, and appetite-related hormones. Participants also rated their appetite and food preferences.

The results revealed that the two sweetener types showed no differences in appetite or endocrine responses compared to sugar, but insulin levels measured over two hours after eating were reduced, as were blood sugar levels.

“The use of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers has received a lot of negative attention, including high profile publications linking their consumption with impaired glycaemic response, toxicological damage to DNA and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. These reports contribute to the current befuddlement concerning the safety of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers among the general public and especially people at risk of metabolic diseases. Our study provides crucial evidence supporting the day-to-day use of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers for body weight and blood sugar control.” said Finlayson.

Reference: Acute and two-week effects of Neotame, Stevia Rebaudioside M and sucrosesweetened biscuits on postprandial appetite and endocrine response in adults with overweight/obesity – a randomised crossover trial from the SWEET Consortium; Journal: EBioMedicine