Effects of Consuming Sugar-Sweetened Beverages for 2 Weeks on 24-h Circulating Leptin Profiles, Ad Libitum Food Intake and Body Weight in Young Adults.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Parallel double-blind randomized controlled trial in humans
PubMed 33352724 · doi:10.3390/nu12123893
What was done
In a parallel, double-blind trial, 131 young adults (aged 18–40 years, BMI 18–35 kg/m²) consumed three beverages daily for two weeks containing either aspartame (control) or 25% of their daily energy requirement from glucose, fructose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), or sucrose (n = 23–28 per group). Body weight, ad libitum food intake, and 24-hour circulating leptin area under the curve (AUC) were measured at baseline (Week 0) and at the end of Week 2.
What was found
Differences in body weight change across groups did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.092), though within-group weight increases were significant for HFCS (p = 0.0008) and glucose (p = 0.018) compared to baseline. Ad libitum energy intake increased in participants consuming sucrose (+14%, p < 0.0015), fructose (+9%, p = 0.015), and HFCS (+8%, p = 0.017) compared to aspartame (-4%, p = 0.0037). For 24-hour leptin AUC, fructose caused a decrease (-14 ng/mL × 24 h, p = 0.0006) whereas sucrose caused an increase (+25 ng/mL × 24 h, p = 0.025 vs. Week 0; p = 0.0008 vs. fructose). Changes in circulating leptin were not associated with changes in ad libitum food intake or body weight.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that while various dietary sugars increase ad libitum energy intake and differentially affect 24-hour leptin levels over two weeks, circulating leptin dynamics do not account for the short-term increases in appetite and body weight.
Limits
The intervention lasted only two weeks, limiting conclusions about long-term weight regulation. The dose used (25% of energy requirement) is relatively high. Sample sizes per group were modest (23–28 participants), and the study was restricted to young adults without older or higher-risk populations.
Cited by
- partial Fructose consumption inhibits leptin signaling and stimulates appetite.