Metabolism Effects of Artificially Sweetened Beverages Restriction

Improvement of Biochemical Markers After Reduction of Artificially Sweetened Beverages Consumption. A Clinical Randomised Trial

The consumption of artificially sweetened beverages increases glucose and insulin concentrations in blood, body weight and waist circumference. However, the effect of restricting the consumption of these beverages on metabolism is unknown. Our objective is to evaluate the effect of reducing artificially sweetened beverages consumption on the metabolism of overweight and obese young adults. A randomized, blind, controlled 12 week clinical trial will be performed on overweight and obese young adults. Young adults, consumers of artificially sweetened beverages, will be randomly assign to either Control group (no changes in their alimentary habits) or Intervention group (no intake of artificially sweetened beverages). The percentage change between 0 and 12 weeks of anthropometric variables, fasting plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, insulin and cholesterol will be calculated and compared.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Overweight and Obesity
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: artificially sweetened beverages

Detailed Description

Overweight and obesity are public health problems across the world. In 2016 the World Health Organization estimated that over 1900 million adults were diagnosed as overweight or obese. These pathologies result from the interaction between many factors, mainly poor alimentary habits and a sedentary lifestyle. The high consumption of simple carbohydrates and sugar sweetened beverages, like soft drinks, juices and flavored water, is considered one of the main factors that contribute to the increase in incidence and prevalence of overweight and obesity. A high consumption of simple carbohydrates promotes an increase in blood glucose concentrations, which facilitates the formation of triglycerides that are subsequently stored in adipose tissue.

To decrease the caloric intake attributable to sugar sweetened beverages, the food industry promotes the commercialization of artificially sweetened beverages. These products have the same organoleptic features than sugar sweetened beverages, with the perks of having a minimum or no caloric contribution at all, not affecting the energy metabolism.

Nonetheless, recent studies relate the consumption of artificially sweetened beverages with a deregulation of the metabolic homeostasis, promoting physiological modifications. Likewise, it was reported that artificial sweeteners increased glucose and insulin concentrations in blood, which is detrimental to health, especially in population with a pre-existing risk of developing non-infectious diseases, such as overweight and obesity. For this reason we will evaluate the effect of reducing the consumption of artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) in overweight and obese young adults.

This study is a single-blind randomized clinical trial controlled with a parallel group. Young adults, students of the University of Veracruz, are randomly allocated to a 12-week no consumption of artificially sweetened beverages intervention or control group.

All the volunteers that satisfy the inclusion criteria will be asked to sign the informed consent before the start of the study. The volunteers will be randomly allocated in control or intervention group (1:1 allocation ratio to each group) in blocks of 2 using Microsoft Office Excell. Nobody involved with data acquisition will have access to the assignment of the participants. Once randomly assigned, a blood sample and anthropometric variables will be taken to establish basal data. Participants will be interviewed to know caloric intake (24-h food recall), consumed portions and beverage consumption (Food frequency questionnaire). The intervention group will not be allowed to consume artificially sweetened beverages; however, they will be allowed to consume products that do not contain artificial sweeteners in their formulae. For the control group artificially sweetened beverages consumption will not be modified. Both groups will continue with their normal food habits. Anthropometric measures, 24-h food recall and food frequency questionnaire data will be collected at week 0, 6 and 12. A blood sample will be taken at week 0 and 12. In order to categorize the physical activity a, previously validated, questionnaire will applied. Using this instrument, physical level will be divided in low, moderate and high.

For comparison between groups at baseline measurements we will use Student´s t-test and Mann- Whitney U test based on data distribution. In order to compare changes between baseline and 12 weeks measurements, the percentage change will be calculate, and pertinent tests applied. A p value <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 45
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Mexico
  • Veracruz
    • Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, 91190
      • Universidad Veracruzana

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 19 years to 27 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• BMI between 25 kg /m² to 36 kg / m², with low intensity physical activities and consumers of at least 3 portions of artificially sweetened beverages per week

Exclusion Criteria:

• students with hyper or hypothyroidism, pregnant women and those who perform high to moderate physical activities

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control group; no changes in their alimentary habits
Experimental: intervention group; no intake of artificially sweetened beverages	Dietary supplement: artificially sweetened beverages; artificially sweetened beverages restriction

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Glucose in mg/dl	Fasting blood samples will be analyzed for plasma concentrations	12 weeks
Triglycerides in mg/dl	Fasting blood samples will be analyzed for plasma concentrations	12 weeks
Insulin	Fasting blood samples will be analyzed for plasma concentrations	12 weeks
Cholesterol in mg/dl	Fasting blood samples will be analyzed for plasma concentrations	12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Micro and macronutrients consumed during the 12 week study (in grams)	24-hour recall	12 weeks
Weight in kilograms	bioelectrical impedance	12 weeks
Body fat percentage	bioelectrical impedance	12 weeks
Portions consumed of artificially sweetened beverages (1portion=250ml)	food frequency instrument	12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Monica Flores-Muñoz
• Collaborators: Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran; Universidad Veracruzana
• Investigators: Study Director: Monica Flores-Muñoz, PhD, Universidad Veracruzana

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bergwall S, Johansson A, Sonestedt E, Acosta S. High versus low-added sugar consumption for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022 Jan 5;1(1):CD013320. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD013320.pub2.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 1, 2017
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2018
• Study Completion (Actual): January 31, 2019

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 14, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 18, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): September 20, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 5, 2022
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 4, 2022
• Last Verified: August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: obesity; overweight; Non-Nutritive sweeteners; Artificially sweeteners
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Body Weight; Overweight
• Other Study ID Numbers: D_005/2016

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No