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-free beverages on feelings of hunger and fullness and the ad libitum consumption of a palatable, fat-rich snack. Eleven healthy males consumed equal volumes (375 mL) of three drinks (sugar-rich cola, sugar-free cola, mineral water) 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 intervals while the subjects were completing appetite and mood ratings. After the 110 min experimental period, the subjects' ad libitum food intake from a buffet-style lunch was covertly recorded. On leaving the laboratory, the subjects filled in a weighed food dairy for the rest of the day. The equal-volume preloads initially decreased hunger to a similar degree and potato crisp 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 end of the day, total energy intakes were similar for the three test conditions. Therefore, the low-calorie/low-sugar drinks did not facilitate a reduced energy intake by the lean, non-dieting male subjects.