The effects of sugar-free vs sugar-rich beverages on feelings of fullness and subsequent food intake

This study compared the effects of equal volumes of sugar-rich and sugar-fr ee beverages on feelings of hunger and fullness and the ad libitum consumpt ion of a palatable, fat-rich snack. Eleven healthy males consumed equal vol umes (375 mt) of three drinks (sugar-rich cola, sugar-free cola, mineral wa ter) in random order on separate mornings. After 20 min, the subjects were able to snack freely on potato crisps during the next 90 min. Each subject' s individual bowl of potato crisps was covertly replenished at 15 min inter vals while the subjects were completing appetite and mood ratings. After th e 110 min experimental period, the subjects' nd libitum food intake from a buffet-style lunch was covertly recorded. On leaving the laboratory, the su bjects filled in a weighed food dairy for the rest of the day. The equal-vo lume preloads initially decreased hunger to a similar degree and potato cri sp intake during the first 15 min interval was not significantly different among the three preloads. On average, total energy intakes from the crisps and lunch were not significantly different among the preloads, and by the e nd of the day, total energy intakes were similar for the three test conditi ons. Therefore, the low-calorie/low-sugar drinks did not facilitate a reduc ed energy intake by the lean, non-dieting male subjects.