Effects of stevia, aspartame, and sucrose on food intake, satiety, and postprandial glucose and insulin levels

Abstract

Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages may be one of the dietary causes of metabolic disorders, such as obesity. Therefore, substituting sugar with low-calorie sweeteners may be an efficacious weight management strategy. We tested the effect of preloads containing stevia, aspartame, or sucrose on food intake, satiety, and postprandial glucose and insulin levels. Design: 19 healthy lean (BMI = 20.0 -24.9) and 12 obese (BMI = 30.0 -39.9) individuals 18 to 50 years old completed three separate food test days during which they received preloads containing stevia (290 kcal), aspartame (290 kcal), or sucrose (493 kcal) before the lunch and dinner meal. The preload order was balanced, and food intake (kcal) was directly calculated. Hunger and satiety levels were reported before and after meals, and every hour throughout the afternoon. Participants provided blood samples immediately before and 20 minutes after the lunch preload. Despite the caloric difference in preloads (290 vs. 493 kcals), participants did not compensate by eating more at their lunch and dinner meals when they consumed stevia and aspartame versus sucrose in preloads (mean differences in food intake over entire day between sucrose and stevia = 301 kcal, p < .01; aspartame = 330 kcal, p < .01). Selfreported hunger and satiety levels did not differ by condition. Stevia preloads significantly lowered postprandial glucose levels compared to sucrose preloads (p < .01), and postprandial insulin levels compared to both aspartame and sucrose preloads (p < .05). When consuming stevia and aspartame preloads, participants did not compensate by eating more at either their lunch or dinner meal and reported similar levels of satiety compared to when they consumed the higher calorie sucrose preload.

Insulin-mimetic activity of stevioside on diabetic rats: biochemical, molecular and histopathological study

“…Stevioside has been found to increase insulin sensitivity in rodent models (Chang et al 2005) and to have beneficial effects on blood glucose and insulin levels in human studies which suggest it may have a role in food intake regulation (Gregersen et al 2004). Stevioside extract helps in reduction of postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels due to assistance of glucose regulation (Anton et al 2010). Stevioside has been used to decrease body weight (Dutta et al 2010).…”

Stevia : A True Glycoside Used as a Sweetener and Not Affecting Behavior

“…Aspartame is not a glycoside, and its consumption often in large amount due to its very nice sweetened taste, may lead to search for food, glycosides essentially, and to eat. This has been shown in 32 with a probability of P < 0.01 (even if the authors wrote the contrary). For this important trait also, stevia is preferable to aspartame.…”

Review of Recommendations for the Use of Caloric Sweeteners by Adults and Children

“…It is used in confectionery, baked goods, beverages, dairy products, liquor, beer, soft drinks, ice creams and soy sauce. [7] …”