Study Finds Sweet Taste Exposure Does Not Increase Preference for Sweet Foods or Affect Weight Outcomes
A six-month randomized controlled trial published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that varying levels of dietary sweetness exposure did not increase preference for sweet foods or impact weight, intake, or metabolic health markers, suggesting sweet taste exposure does not drive cravings or overconsumption. An article entitled, “The Sweet Tooth Trial: A Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of A 6-Month Low, Regular, or High Dietary Sweet Taste Exposure on Sweet Taste Liking, and Various Outcomes Related to Food Intake and Weight Status“, has been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.Aim
- To assess the effect of a 6-month low, regular and high dietary sweetness exposure on preference for sweet foods and beverages.
- Outcomes include taste intensity perception, food choice and intake, sweet-liker type, food cravings, taste preferences (primary), dietary taste patterns, body composition, ad libitum food and energy intake, body weight, glucose variability, and biomarkers related to CVD and diabetes.
Findings
- No change in preference for sweet foods.
- Differences found in preference between familiar and unfamiliar foods, though not seen between diet groups and over.
- High sweetener exposure diet group did not achieve goal of 40-45% of total energy intake from sweet tasting foods (including LNCS).
- Participants returned to baseline levels of sweet food intake after the intervention.
Conclusions
- Neither a low nor high exposure to sweet tasting foods for six months significantly changes sweet taste preferences in Dutch adults.
- Sweet taste perception, food choices, energy intake, body weight or health related markers are also not differently affected by sweet taste food exposure.
- Exposure to sweet taste signals satiation/nutrient consumption, which leads to a brake on intake.