The effect of non-caloric sweeteners on cognition, choice, and post-consumption satisfaction The effects of water and non‐nutritive sweetened beverages on weight loss and weight maintenance: A randomized clinical trial The effects of water and non-nutritive sweetened beverages on weight loss during a 12-week weight loss treatment program. Effects of aspartame-, monk fruit-, stevia- and sucrose-sweetened beverages on postprandial glucose, insulin and energy intake Hormonal responses to non-nutritive sweeteners in water and diet soda A randomized controlled trial contrasting the effects of 4 low-calorie sweeteners and sucrose on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity. Sucrose compared with artificial sweeteners: a clinical intervention study of effects on energy intake, appetite, and energy expenditure after 10 wk of supplementation in overweight subjects. A randomized control trial for reduction of caloric and non-caloric sweetened beverages in young adults: effects in weight, body composition and blood pressure. Effect of Replacing Sugar with Non-Caloric Sweeteners in Beverages on the Reward Value after Repeated Exposure Short-term consumption of sucralose, a nonnutritive sweetener, is similar to water with regard to select markers of hunger signaling and short-term glucose homeostasis in women. Effect of high milk and sugar-sweetened and non-caloric soft drink intake on insulin sensitivity after 6 months in overweight and obese adults: a randomized controlled trial Use of artificial sweeteners and fat-modified foods in weight loss maintainers and always normal weight individuals The Use of Low-Calorie Sweeteners by Children: Implications for Weight Management123 Consumption of sucrose-sweetened soft drinks increases plasma levels of uric acid in overweight and obese subjects: a 6-month randomised controlled trial Modified sham feeding of sweet solutions in women with and without bulimia nervosa Dietary macronutrients and food consumption as determinants of long-term weight change in adult populations: a systematic literature review Effects of Decreasing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption on Body Weight in Adolescents: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study
Consumers often turn to non-caloric sweeteners ( NCS ) as a means of promoting a healthy body weight . However , several studies have now linked their long-term use to increased weight gain , raising the question of whether these products produce unintended psychological , physiological , or behavioral changes that have implication s for weight management goals . In the following , we present the results of three experiments bearing on this issue , testing whether NCS-consumption influences how  individuals think about and respond to food .  Participants in each of our three experiments were r and omly assigned to consume a sugar-sweetened beverage , an unsweetened beverage , or a beverage sweetened with NCS . We then measured their cognition ( Experiment 1 ) , product choice ( Experiment 2 ) , and subjective responses to a sugar-sweetened food ( Experiment 3 ) . Results revealed that consuming NCS-sweetened beverages influences psychological processes in ways that - over time - may increase calorie intake Objective To evaluate the effects of water versus beverages sweetened with non‐nutritive sweeteners ( NNS ) on body weight in subjects enrolled in a year‐long behavioral weight loss treatment program . Methods The study used a r and omized equivalence design with NNS or water beverages as the main factor in a trial among 303 weight‐stable people with overweight and obesity . All participants participated in a weight loss program plus assignment to consume 24 ounces ( 710 ml ) of water or NNS beverages daily for 1 year . Results NNS and water treatments were non‐equivalent , with NNS treatment  showing greater weight loss at the end of 1 year . At 1 year subjects receiving water had maintained a 2.45 ± 5.59 kg weight loss while those receiving NNS beverages maintained a loss of 6.21 ± 7.65 kg ( P < 0.001 for difference ) . Conclusions Water and NNS beverages were not equivalent for weight loss and maintenance during a 1‐year behavioral treatment program . NNS beverages were superior for weight loss and weight maintenance in a population consisting of regular users  of NNS beverages who either maintained or discontinued consumption of these beverages and consumed water during a structured weight loss program . These results suggest that NNS beverages can be an effective tool for weight loss and maintenance within the context of a weight management program OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of non-nutritive sweetened beverages ( NNS ) or water for weight loss during a 12-week behavioral weight loss treatment program . METHODS An equivalence trial design with water or NNS beverages as the main factor in a prospect i ve r and omized trial among 303 men and women was employed . All participants participated in a behavioral weight loss treatment program . The results of the weight loss phase ( 12 weeks ) of an ongoing trial ( 1 year ) that is also evaluating the effects of these two treatments on weight loss maintenance were reported . RESULTS The two treatments were not equivalent with the NNS beverage treatment group losing significantly more weight compared to the water group ( 5.95 kg versus 4.09 kg ; P < 0.0001 ) after 12 weeks . Participants in the NNS beverage group reported significantly greater reductions in subjective feelings of hunger than those in the water group during 12 weeks . CONCLUSION These results show that water is not superior to NNS beverages for weight loss during a comprehensive behavioral weight loss program Background : Substituting sweeteners with non-nutritive sweeteners ( NNS ) may aid in glycaemic control and body weight management . Limited studies have investigated energy compensation , glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to artificial and natural NNS . Objectives : This study compared the effects of consuming NNS ( artificial versus natural ) and sucrose ( 65 g ) on energy intake , blood glucose and insulin responses . Methods : Thirty healthy male subjects took part in this r and omised , crossover study with four treatments : aspartame- , monk fruit- , stevia- and sucrose-sweetened beverages . On each test day , participants were asked to consume a st and ardised breakfast in the morning , and they were provided with test beverage as a preload in mid-morning and ad libitum lunch was provided an hour after test beverage consumption . Blood glucose and insulin concentrations were measured every 15 min within the first hour of preload consumption and every 30 min for the subsequent 2 h. Participants left the study site 3 h after preload consumption and completed a food diary for the rest of the day . Results : Ad libitum lunch intake was significantly higher for the NNS treatments compared with sucrose ( P=0.010 ) . The energy ' saved ' from replacing sucrose with NNS was fully compensated for at subsequent meals ; hence , no difference in total daily energy intake was found between the treatments ( P=0.831 ) . The sucrose-sweetened beverage led to large spikes in blood glucose and insulin responses within the first hour , whereas these responses were higher for all three NNS beverages following the test lunch . Thus , there were no differences in total area under the curve ( AUC ) for glucose ( P=0.960 ) and insulin ( P=0.216 ) over 3 h between the four test beverages . Conclusions : The consumption of calorie-free beverages sweetened with artificial and natural NNS have minimal influences on total daily energy intake , postpr and ial glucose and insulin compared with a sucrose-sweetened beverage Background Non-nutritive sweeteners ( NNS ) , especially in form of diet soda , have been linked to metabolic derangements ( e.g. obesity and diabetes ) in epidemiologic studies . We aim ed to test acute metabolic effects of NNS in isolation ( water or seltzer ) and in diet sodas . Methods We conducted a four-period , cross-over study at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center ( Bethesda , Maryl and ) . Thirty healthy adults consumed 355 mL water with 0 mg , 68 mg , 170 mg , and 250 mg sucralose , and 31 individuals consumed 355 mL caffeine-free Diet Rite Cola ™ , Diet Mountain Dew ™ ( 18 mg sucralose , 18 mg acesulfame-potassium , 57 mg aspartame ) , and seltzer water with NNS ( 68 mg sucralose and 41 mg acesulfame-potassium , equivalent to Diet Rite Cola ™ ) in r and omized order , prior to oral glucose tolerance tests . Blood sample s were collected serially for 130 min . Measures included GLP-1 , GIP , glucose , insulin , C-peptide , glucose absorption , gastric emptying , and subjective hunger and satiety ratings . Results Diet sodas  augmented active GLP-1 ( Diet Rite Cola ™ vs. seltzer water , AUC , p = 0.039 ; Diet Mountain Dew ™ vs. seltzer water , AUC , p = 0.07 ) , but gastric emptying and satiety were unaffected . Insulin concentrations were nominally higher following all NNS conditions without altering glycemia . Sucralose alone ( at any concentration ) did not affect metabolic outcomes . Conclusions Diet sodas but not NNS in water augmented GLP-1 responses to oral glucose . Whether the trends toward higher insulin concentrations after NNS are of clinical importance remains to be determined . Our findings emphasize the need to test metabolic effects of NNS after chronic consumption . Trial registration The data for this manuscript were gathered from clinical trial # NCT01200940 BACKGROUND Low-calorie sweeteners ( LCSs ) provide sweetness with little or no energy . However , each LCS 's unique chemical structure has potential to elicit different sensory , physiological , and behavioral responses that affect body weight . OBJECTIVE The purpose of this trial was to compare the effects of consumption of 4 LCSs and sucrose on body weight , ingestive behaviors , and glucose tolerance over a 12-wk intervention in adults ( 18 - 60 y old ) with overweight or obesity ( body mass index 25 - 40 kg/m2 ) . METHODS In a parallel-arm design , 154 participants were r and omly assigned to consume 1.25 - 1.75 L of beverage sweetened with sucrose ( n = 39 ) , aspartame ( n = 30 ) , saccharin ( n = 29 ) , sucralose ( n = 28 ) , or rebaudioside A ( rebA ) ( n = 28 ) daily for 12 wk . The beverages contained 400 - 560 kcal/d ( sucrose treatments ) or < 5 kcal/d ( LCS treatments ) . Anthropometric indexes , energy intake , energy expenditure , appetite , and glucose tolerance were measured at baseline . Body weight was measured every 2 wk with energy intake , expenditure , and appetite assessed every 4 wk . Twenty-four-hour urine collection s were completed every 4 wk to determine study compliance via para-aminobenzoic acid excretion . RESULTS Of the participants enrolled in the trial , 123 completed the 12-wk intervention . Sucrose and saccharin consumption led to increased body weight across the 12-wk intervention ( Δweight = + 1.85 ± 0.36 kg and + 1.18 ± 0.36 kg , respectively ; P ≤ 0.02 ) and did not differ from each other . There was no significant change in body weight with consumption of the other LCS treatments compared with baseline , but change in body weight for sucralose was negative and significantly lower compared with all other LCSs at week 12 ( weight difference ≥ 1.37 ± 0.52 kg , P ≤ 0.008 ) . Energy intake decreased with sucralose consumption ( P = 0.02 ) and ingestive frequency was lower for sucralose than for saccharin ( P = 0.045 ) . Glucose tolerance was not significantly affected by any of the sweetener treatments . CONCLUSIONS Sucrose and saccharin consumption significantly increase body weight compared with aspartame , rebA , and sucralose , whereas weight change was directionally negative and lower for sucralose compared with saccharin , aspartame , and rebA consumption . LCSs should be categorized as distinct entities because of their differing effects on body weight . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT02928653 BACKGROUND There is a lack of appetite studies in free-living subjects supplying the habitual diet with either sucrose or artificially sweetened beverages and foods . Furthermore , the focus of artificial sweeteners has only been on the energy intake ( EI ) side of the energy-balance equation . The data are from a subgroup from a 10-wk study , which was previously published . OBJECTIVE The objective was to investigate changes in EI and energy expenditure ( EE ) as possible reasons for the changes in body weight during 10 wk of supplementation of either sucrose or artificial sweeteners in overweight subjects . DESIGN Supplements of sucrose-sweetened beverages and foods ( 2 g/kg body weight ; n = 12 ) or similar amounts containing artificial sweeteners ( n = 10 ) were given single-blind in a 10-wk parallel design . Beverages accounted for 80 % and solid foods for 20 % by weight of the supplements . The rest of the diet was free choice . Indirect 24-h whole-body calorimetry was performed at weeks 0 and 10 . At week 0 the diet was a weight-maintaining st and ardized diet . At week 10 the diet consisted of the supplements and ad libitum choice of foods .  Visual analog scales were used to record appetite . RESULTS Body weight increased in the sucrose group and decreased in the sweetener group during the intervention . The sucrose group had a 3.3-MJ higher EI but felt less full and had higher ratings of prospect i ve food consumption than did the sweetener group at week 10 . Basal metabolic rate was increased in the sucrose group , whereas 24-h EE was increased in both groups at week 10 . Energy balance in the sucrose group was more positive than in the sweetener group at the stay at week 10 . CONCLUSION The changes in body weight in the 2 groups during the 10-wk intervention seem to be attributable to changes in EI rather than to changes in EE INTRODUCTION Recently has been documented that the consumption of sweetened non-caloric beverages has increased as an option to weight control , however r and omized control trials have demonstrated a modest weight loss . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of reducing consumption of beverage with caloric and non-caloric sweeteners on weight , body composition and blood pressure  in young Mexican adults . METHODS In an experimental study 148 nursing students were r and omly assigned to one of 3 groups : 1 ) no sweetened beverages were permitted , only plain water , tea or coffee without sugar ; 2 ) consumption of beverages with non-caloric sweeteners was allowed ; and 3 ) no restriction of sweetened beverages was imposed . All groups were given individualized isocaloric diets monitored by a 24-hour record of consumption and food frequency question naire and blood pressure , weight , waist circumference and body composition by tetrapolar bioelectric impedance were taken at the beginning of the study and three and six months later . RESULTS Differences between groups were found in body mass index at 3 months that decrease in group 1 and 2 and increase in group 3 ( -1.75 vs.-0.61 vs.0.54 % of change , p < 0.001 ) . At six months there were also statistical differences in waist circumference ( -4.07 vs.-1.23 vs. 0.62 % of change , p < 0.001 ) and sugar consumption ( -62.0 vs.-54.61 vs.11.08 % of change , p < 0.001 ) in groups 1 , 2 and 3 respectively . CONCLUSIONS The reduction in consumption of both caloric and non-caloric sweetened beverages contributes to signifi ca nt body mass index loss and waist circumference Background The reward value of food is partly dependent on learned associations . It is not yet known whether replacing sugar with non-caloric sweeteners in food is affecting long-term acceptance . Objective To determine the effect of replacing sugar with non-caloric sweeteners in a nutrient-empty drink ( soft drink ) versus nutrient-rich drink ( yoghurt drink ) on reward value after repeated exposure . Design We used a r and omized crossover design whereby forty subjects ( 15 men , 25 women ) with a mean±SD age of 21±2 y and BMI of 21.5±1.7 kg/m2 consumed a fixed portion of a non-caloric sweetened ( NS ) and sugar sweetened ( SS ) versions of either a soft drink or a yoghurt drink ( counterbalanced ) for breakfast which were distinguishable by means of colored labels . Each version of a drink was offered 10 times in semi-r and om order . Before and after conditioning the reward value of the drinks was assessed using behavioral tasks on wanting , liking , and expected satiety . In a subgroup ( n=18 ) fMRI was performed to assess brain reward responses to the drinks . Results Outcomes of both the behavioral tasks and fMRI showed that conditioning did not affect the reward value of the NS and SS versions of the drinks significantly . Overall , subjects preferred the yoghurt drinks to the soft drinks and the ss drinks to the NS drinks . In addition , they expected the yoghurt drinks to be more satiating , they reduced hunger more , and delayed the first eating episode more . Conditioning did not influence these effects . Conclusion Our study showed that repeated consumption of a non-caloric sweetened beverage , instead of a sugar sweetened version , appears not to result in changes in the reward value . It can not be ruled out that learned associations between sensory attributes and food satiating capacity which developed preceding the conditioning period , during lifetime , affected the reward value of the drinks Nonnutritive sweeteners have been used to lower the energy density of foods with the intention of affecting weight loss or weight maintenance . However , some epidemiological and animal evidence indicates an association between weight gain or insulin resistance and artificial sweetener consumption . In the present study , we hypothesized that the nonnutritive sweetener sucralose , a trichlorinated sucrose molecule , would elicit responses similar to water but different from sucrose and sucrose combined with sucralose on subjective and hormonal indications of hunger and short-term glucose homeostasis . Eight female volunteers ( body mass index , 22.16 ± 1.71 kg/m(2 ) ; age , 21.75 ± 2.25 years )  consumed sucrose and /or sucralose in water in a factorial design . Blood sample s were taken at fasting and 30 and 60 minutes after treatment followed by a st and ardized breakfast across treatments , and blood sample s were taken 30 , 60 , 90 , and 120 minutes after breakfast . Plasma was analyzed for glucose , insulin , glucagon , triacylglycerols ( TAG ) , and acylated ghrelin . Perceptions of hunger and other subjective measurements were assessed before each blood sample . No differences were detected in subjective responses , circulating triacylglycerol , or glucagon concentrations among treatments over time . Significant differences were observed in insulin , glucose , and acylated ghrelin concentrations over time only between sucrose-containing treatments and non-sucrose-containing treatments regardless of sucralose consumption . Therefore , sucralose may be a relatively inert nonnutritive sweetener with regard to hunger signaling and short-term glucose homeostasis Background / objectives Milk contributes with saturated fat , but r and omized controlled trials ( RCT ) on the effects of dairy on the risk of type 2 diabetes ( T2D ) where dairy is given as whole foods are scarce . The objective of our study was to investigate the long-term effects of semi-skimmed milk on insulin sensitivity and further to compare milk with sugar-sweetened soft drinks (SSSD).Subjects/ methods A secondary analysis of a 6-month RCT with 60 overweight and obese subjects r and omly assigned to 1 L/d of either milk ( 1.5 g fat/100 mL ) , SSSD , non-calorie soft drink ( NCSD ) , or water was conducted . Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test ( OGTT ) and plasma free fatty acids . Second , fasting blood lipids , blood pressure , and concentration of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were assessed . Results There were no differences between milk , SSSD , NCSD , and water on insulin sensitivity assessed by OGTT ( Matsuda Index , fasting , and area under the curve glucose , insulin and homeostasis model assessment values ) . SSSD increased total cholesterol compared to NCSD ( P = 0.007 ) , and triacylglycerol compared to NCSD and water ( P = 0.045 and 0.045 , respectively ) . None of the other parameters differed significantly between the groups . Conclusions In conclusion , there were no differences in effect between intake of milk , SSSD , NCSD , and water ( 1 L/d ) for 6-month on risk markers of T2D in overweight and obese adults . As a secondary analysis , these results need confirmation in future studies Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare the dietary strategies , and use of fat- and sugar-modified foods and beverages in a  weight loss maintainer group ( WLM ) and an always-normal weight group (NW).Subjects : WLM ( N=172 ) had maintained ⩾10 % weight loss for 11.5 years , and had a body mass index ( BMI ) of 22.0 kg m−2 . NW ( N=131 ) had a BMI of 21.3 kg m−2 and no history of being overweight . Three , 24-h recalls on r and om , non-consecutive days were used to assess dietary intake . Results : WLM reported consuming a diet that was lower in fat ( 28.7 vs 32.6 % , P<0.0001 ) and used more fat-modification strategies than NW . WLM also consumed a significantly greater percentage of modified dairy ( 60 vs 49 % ; P=0.002 ) and  modified dressings and sauces  ( 55 vs 44 % ; P=0.006 ) than NW . WLM reported consuming three times more daily servings of artificially sweetened soft drinks ( 0.91 vs 0.37 ; P=0.003 ) , significantly fewer daily servings of sugar-sweetened soft drinks ( 0.07 vs 0.16 ; P=0.03 ) and more daily servings of water ( 4.72 vs 3.48 ; P=0.002 ) than NW . Conclusions : These findings suggest that WLM use more dietary strategies to accomplish their weight loss maintenance , including greater restriction on fat intake , use of fat- and sugar-modified foods , reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and increased consumption of artificially sweetened beverages . Ways to promote the use of fat-modified foods and artificial sweeteners merits further research in both prevention- and treatment-controlled trials The rise in pediatric obesity since the 1970s has been well established in the United States and is becoming a major concern worldwide . As a potential means to help slow the obesity epidemic , low-calorie sweeteners ( LCS ) have gained attention as dietary tools to assist in adherence to weight loss plans or prevention of excess weight gain . Observational studies tend to show positive correlations between LCS consumption and weight gain in children and adolescents . Although the data are intriguing , these epidemiologic studies do not establish that LCS cause weight gain , because there are likely many lifestyle and genetic differences between children and families who choose to consume LCS and those who do not . Short-term r and omized controlled trials have shown LCS use to be BMI neutral or to have modest weight-reducing effects in overweight and obese adolescents . The long-term effects of LCS in children and adolescents are unknown . Some compelling research is currently underway and may provide needed insight into the potential role of LCS in weight management . The paucity of data regarding the effects of LCS use in children and adolescents creates challenges in decision-making for health care providers and parents Background / Objectives : Sucrose-sweetened soft drinks ( SSSDs ) are associated with the development of metabolic disorders . Fructose is a major component of SSSDs and is demonstrated to induce uric acid ( UA ) production and stimulate fat accumulation independent of excess caloric intake . UA induce insulin resistance and low- grade inflammation , suggesting that UA may have a causal role in the development of metabolic complications . The objective of this study is to investigate the long-term effects of consuming SSSDs on circulating levels of UA in overweight and obese subjects . Subjects/ Methods : Using a previously published study , circulating UA levels were assessed at baseline and after 6 months using chromogenic enzymatic absorptiometry . The study included 47 overweight and obese subjects without diabetes , r and omised to consume 1 l daily of either SSSD ( regular cola ) , isocaloric semi-skimmed milk , diet cola or water for 6 months . Results : Circulating UA levels increased ~15 % ( P=0.02 ) after the 6-month intervention in the SSSD group with no change in the other groups . In the SSSD  group , circulating UA levels increased significantly after the intervention in both absolute ( P=0.005 ) and relative values ( P=0.004 ) . The change in UA after the intervention correlated with changes in liver fat ( P=0.005 ) , triglycerides ( P=0.02 ) and insulin ( P=0.002 ) . Conclusions : In this secondary analysis daily intake of 1 l SSSD for 6 months was found to increase circulating UA levels compared with isocaloric milk , diet cola and water . Thus , a high daily intake of SSSDs in overweight and obese subjects without overt diabetes may increase the risk of developing metabolic complications through the elevation of UA . This trial is registered at Clinical Trials.gov as NCT00777647 Although it is possible that binge eating in humans is due to increased responsiveness of orosensory excitatory controls of eating , there is no direct evidence for this because food ingested during a test meal stimulates both orosensory excitatory and postingestive inhibitory controls . To overcome this problem , we adapted the modified sham feeding technique ( MSF ) to measure the orosensory excitatory control of intake of a series of sweetened solutions . Previously published data showed the feasibility of a " sip- and -spit " procedure in nine healthy control women using solutions flavored with cherry Kool Aid and sweetened with sucrose ( 0 - 20 % ) . The current study extended this technique to measure the intake of artificially sweetened solutions in women with bulimia nervosa ( BN ) and in women with no history of eating disorders . Ten healthy women and 11 women with BN were r and omly presented with cherry Kool Aid solutions sweetened with five concentrations of aspartame ( 0 , 0.01 , 0.03 , 0.08 and 0.28 % ) in a closed opaque container fitted with a straw . They were instructed to sip as much as they wanted of the solution during 1-minute trials and to spit the fluid out into another opaque container . Across all subjects , presence of sweetener increased intake ( p<0.001 ) . Women with BN sipped 40.5 - 53.1 % more of all solutions than controls ( p=0.03 for total intake across all solutions ) . Self-report ratings of liking , wanting and sweetness of solutions did not differ between groups . These results support the feasibility of a MSF procedure using artificially sweetened solutions , and the hypothesis that the orosensory stimulation of MSF provokes larger intake in women with BN than controls This systematic literature review examined the role of dietary macronutrient composition , food consumption and dietary patterns in predicting  weight or waist circumference ( WC ) change , with and without prior weight reduction . The literature search covered year 2000 and onwards . Prospect i ve cohort studies , case – control studies and interventions were included . The studies had adult ( 18–70 y ) , mostly Caucasian participants . Out of a total of 1,517 abstract s , 119 full papers were identified as potentially relevant . After a careful scrutiny , 50 papers were quality grade d as A ( highest ) , B or C. Forty-three papers with grading A or B were included in evidence grading , which was done separately for all exposure- outcome combinations . The grade of evidence was classified as convincing , probable , suggestive or no conclusion . We found probable evidence for high intake of dietary fibre and nuts predicting less weight gain , and for high intake of meat in predicting more weight gain . Suggestive evidence was found for a protective role against increasing weight from whole grains , cereal fibre , high-fat dairy products and high scores in an index describing a prudent dietary pattern . Likewise , there was suggestive evidence for both fibre and fruit intake in protection against larger increases in WC . Also suggestive evidence was found for high intake of refined grains , and sweets and desserts in predicting more weight gain , and for refined ( white ) bread and high energy density in predicting larger increases in WC . The results suggested that the proportion of macronutrients in the diet was not important in predicting changes in weight or WC . In contrast , plenty of fibre-rich foods and dairy products , and less refined grains , meat and sugar-rich foods and drinks were associated with less weight gain in prospect i ve cohort studies . The results on the role of  dietary macronutrient composition  in prevention of weight regain ( after prior weight loss ) were inconclusive OBJECTIVE . The role of sugar-sweetened beverages ( SSBs ) in promoting obesity is controversial . Observational data link SSB consumption with excessive weight gain ; however , r and omized , controlled trials are lacking and necessary to resolve the debate . We conducted a pilot study to examine the effect of decreasing SSB consumption on body weight . METHODS . We r and omly assigned 103 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years who regularly consumed SSBs to intervention and control groups . The intervention , 25 weeks in duration , relied largely on home deliveries of noncaloric beverages to displace SSBs and thereby decrease consumption . Change in  SSB consumption was the main process measure , and change in body mass index ( BMI ) was the primary end point . RESULTS . All of the r and omly assigned subjects completed the study . Consumption of SSBs  decreased by 82 % in the intervention group and did not change in the control group . Change in BMI , adjusted for gender and age , was 0.07 ± 0.14 kg/m2 ( mean ± SE ) for the intervention group and 0.21 ± 0.15 kg/m2 for the control group . The net difference , −0.14 ± 0.21 kg/m2 , was not significant overall . However , baseline BMI was a significant effect modifier . Among the subjects in the upper baseline- BMI tertile , BMI change differed significantly between the intervention ( −0.63 ± 0.23 kg/m2 ) and control ( + 0.12 ± 0.26 kg/m2 ) groups , a net effect of −0.75 ± 0.34 kg/m2 . The interaction between weight change and baseline BMI was not attributable to baseline consumption of SSBs . CONCLUSIONS . A simple environmental intervention almost completely eliminated SSB consumption in a diverse group of adolescents . The beneficial effect on body weight of reducing SSB consumption increased with increasing baseline body weight , offering additional support for American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines to limit SSB consumption
When comparing NNS vs sucrose , significant weight/ BMI differences appeared favouring NNS .
Consumption of NNS led to significantly negative weight/ BMI differences in unrestricted energy diets , but not in weight-reduction diets .
Participants with overweight/obesity and adults showed significant favourable weight/ BMI differences with NNS .
Data suggest that replacing sugar with NNS leads to weight reduction , particularly in participants with overweight/obesity under an unrestricted diet , information that could be utilized for evidence -based public policy decisions
There is an ongoing debate about the possible influences of nonnutritive sweeteners ( NNS ) on body weight .
We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) with NNS to assess their impact on body weight .