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Artificial Sweeteners do NOT affect Appetite, Energy Intake or Food Choices Versus Water
By: Scottsdale Weight Loss Center
Published: May 13, 2019
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A recent study published in Appetite, shows that when compared to water, artificial sweeteners (low calorie sweeteners) (LCS) do not affect appetite, energy intake or food choices.
For several years, it has been believed commonly (but falsely), that the replacement of sugar by LCS results in several maladaptive physiologic changes including uncoupling of the LCS sweet taste and dietary energy intake leading to higher energy and food intake. This has been addressed in several studies showing no short-term effects of LCS on hunger, appetite and energy intake. In addition, the effect of LCS on body weight change has also been studied and suggests that in place of sugar, LCS is helpful to reduce energy intake and that LCS beverages “appeared” neutral relative to water or even beneficial.
This study was designed to test those beliefs in comparison to water, which has only been compared in a few studies. Here, 166 healthy adults without obesity (BMI 19-28) were studied in 4 sessions. This cohort was composed of LCS-naïve persons who did not consume LCS on a regular basis and the tests were performed before and after a 5-week habituation period to LCS.
It was a 2-arm study comparing plain water vs. LCS lemonade. Study duration was 9 weeks with 4 experimental 2-day sessions. In the first session, all consumed water with meals on lab day 1 and under free living conditions on day 2. During week 1, they consumed 1 bottle of water with the 3 main meals (330ml). During sessions 2 and 3 (weeks 2 and 3) participants drank 330ml of LCS lemonade or water with half getting water first and the other half LCS lemonade with a switch the next week.
After week 3, participants were randomized to 2 arms. The experimental group drank 2 cans of LCS lemonade daily with main meals for the next 5 weeks. The control group drank water and were instructed to avoid LCS beverages and foods. At the end of the study, they were again studied as in weeks 1-3.
Conclusion: LCS beverages (artificially sweetened beverages) do not increase total energy intake when compared to water. Artificial sweeteners, also, when used in place of sugar in adults without obesity, lead to reduced appetite for sweet tasting foods and sugars. Also, this study shows no adverse response occurs over time (here, 5 weeks of continuous use) after the use of artificial sweeteners.
Nick
Nick's Story
"I wish I would have come here first. We spend all our time reacting to the next great weight loss tip or program. It might work for a while, but does not last and we end up yo-yoing from one fad to the next – as we gain more weight." Read More
Gina
Lost 44.5 lbs
"I had no trouble adhering to the meals and they really helped catapult my progress! The classes were so beneficial to me because they helped change my thinking about how I viewed health, nutrition, and fitness.
I will always have my relationship with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. They truly helped me change my life forever." Read More
Lauren
Lost 60 lbs
"Dr. Ziltzer and everyone who I have come in contact with at the Scottsdale Weight Loss office have been so encouraging and I look forward to seeing them each week. It is now a year and 2 months later since I started. I am down 60 lbs., which is the average amount a 9-year-old weighs, it is crazy to think I lost a whole person! I feel amazing, I hit my goal weight in November 2021 just before Thanksgiving. Nothing on my body hurts anymore..." Read More
Chuck
Lost 66 lbs
"The best thing I did was call the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. I have a lot more energy, I'm not hungry, and it feels great.
You can take it from me that this is a program that produces results. The staff is always positive, supportive, and never judgmental.
Your visits always result in positive reinforcement, no matter if you had a good week or a bad week." Read More
Emily
Lost 101 lbs
"Here I am at the lowest I have been since high school weighing in at 155lbs. I have lost 101 lbs, BMI of 39 when I started, to 21.6, and of course at body fat % of 47.1 to 26.5%. I told myself by my 30th birthday I wanted to be confident in the way I look and I owe it all to SWLC. The entire staff is so welcoming and they are rooting for you just as much as you are rooting for yourself...." Read More
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Meet Our Team
Robert Ziltzer, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Diana Bone, FNP-C
Specializing in Obesity Medicine
Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Kristen Ash, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Alicia Earley, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
