The Effect of Artificial Sweeteners (AFS) on Sweetness Sensitivity, Preference and Brain Response in Adults (AFS-adult)

Yale University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Impairment of Oral Perception; Insulin Resistance

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Sucrose; Dietary Supplement: Sucralose; Dietary Supplement: Sucralose + Sucrose; Dietary Supplement: Sucralose + maltodextrin

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02335021

0405026766-2

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dietary exposure to artificial sweeteners on taste sensitivity, preference and brain response in adults. The investigators hypothesize that dietary exposure to artificial sweeteners (sucralose) will decrease sensitivity to taste, shift preference of sweet and savory taste to a higher dose, and reduce brain response in amygdala to sweet taste compared to sucrose.

Full description

We aim to identify neural factors that contribute to taste intensity perception in humans and to determine environmental mechanisms that contribute to variation in taste sensitivity. Significant controversy surrounds the possibility that consumption of artificial sweeteners (AFS) leads to weight gain. Given that the five FDA approved AFSs are found in thousands of foods (Yang 2010) 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 physiological consequences of AFS, since alterations in sweet taste perception, metabolism and brain reward that occur in response to AFS exposure may promote weight gain.

Enrollment: 97 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 23 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy
• Fluent in English
• Right handed

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,
• discomfort or anxiety associated with insertion an intravenous catheter,
• regular artificial sweetener use.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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97 participants in 4 patient groups

Sucralose

Experimental group

Description:

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

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Sucralose

Sucrose

Experimental group

Description:

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

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Sucrose

Sucralose + maltodextrin

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will rate sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness and umami intensity of various taste stimuli. Next they will consume a flavored beverage with Splenda + maltodextrin .

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Sucralose + maltodextrin

Sucralose + Sucrose

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will rate sweetness, sourness, saltiness, bitterness and umami intensity of various taste stimuli. Next they will consume a flavored beverage with Splenda + sucrose.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Sucralose + Sucrose