The Effect of Artificial Sweeteners on Overeating and Weight Gain

The effectiveness of artificial sweeteners as a therapeutic strategy for weight control has been questioned. Artificial sweeteners added to food and beverages are believed to drive significant overeating. Consumption of non-calorie sweeteners (NNS) correlates with the incidence of obesity, Type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that rats consuming NNS added to a liquid diet (Osmolite Abbott Labs) will over consume both total volume of diet and calories. Method: After 3 days of acclimatization to the liquid diet, rats were randomly assigned to one of 4 experimental groups: Osmolite Standard, Osmolite+sucrose (15%), Osmolite + Stevia(0.1%), Osmolite+Saccharin (0.2%) and followed for seven weeks. Another set of rats were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups: After 3 weeks of consuming Osmolite with two possible NNS ( 0.1% stevia, and 0.2% saccharin) or two standard Osmolite diets, the rats were switched to sugar for one week, then given either a NNS or standard Osmolite for 2 weeks. On the 7th week, all rats were fed a standard Osmolite diet. Results: Sugar added to the liquid diet caused a significant 42.46% decline in volume of diet consumed, but the calories consumed were not different. When sugar was replaced by the NNS or by no sweetener, rats consumed 33.73% more volume, but 16.97% less calories regardless whether they consumed NNS or no sugar diet. Conclusions: There is no evidence supporting the notion that eating NNS either over the long period or after sugar consumption causes either increased caloric consumption or increased body weight gain