Sensory-enhanced beverages: effects on satiety following repeated consumption at home

Growing research suggests that a consumer's experience of satiety is influenced by information present at the time of, or before, food consumption. For example, making small modifications to the sensory characteristics of a high-energy beverage (specifically thickness and creaminess) enhances its impact on subsequent satiety. Previous research has examined these sensory-enhanced satiety effects in the laboratory but not in the ‘real world’. Therefore, the present study, using a cross-over design, compared the effects of ‘real world’ consumption of two high-energy versions of a beverage (sensory-enhanced and unenhanced) and a low-energy control beverage on satiety. Thirty-four volunteers were provided with shelf-stable dry powder mixes for the three test beverages, which varied in energy content and sensory characteristics, to which they added a commercially available juice. The volunteers prepared and consumed each beverage on eight occasions over a 3-week period at home. Controlled satiety testing occurred in the laboratory either side of this exposure period. Focus groups were also conducted to assess consumer attitudes towards ‘enhanced satiety’ products and claims. Results of the satiety study indicate that appetite sensations and subsequent food intake were lower following consumption of the sensory-enhanced high-energy beverage relative to the unenhanced and control versions, and that these effects were maintained following repeated product consumption in the ‘real world’. The focus groups highlighted that consumers are aware of sensory and cognitive influences on satiety, though noted that dieting populations might benefit most from enhanced satiety products. Implications for further research and the role of satiety for consumers and manufacturers are discussed