Failure of sucrose replacement with the non-nutritive sweetener erythritol to alter GLP-1 or PYY release or test meal size in lean or obese people

Abstract

There is considerable interest in the effect of foods containing high intensity sweeteners on satiation. However, less is known about low-calorie bulk sweeteners such as erythritol. In this randomized three-way crossover study, we studied 10 lean and 10 obese volunteers who consumed three test meals on separate occasions: (a) control sucrose meal; (b) isovolumic meal with partial replacement of sucrose by erythritol; (c) isocaloric meal which contained more erythritol but equivalent calories to the control meal. We measured gut hormone levels, hunger and satiety scores, ad libitum food intake, sucrose preference and intake after the manipulations. There was a greater post-prandial excursion in glucose and insulin levels after sucrose than after the erythritol meals. There was no difference in GLP-1/PYY levels or subsequent energy intake and sucrose preference between sucrose control and isovolumic erythritol meals. In lean (but not obese) participants, hunger decreased to a greater extent after the isocaloric erythritol meal compared to the control meal (p = 0.003) reflecting the larger volume of this meal. Replacing sucrose with erythritol leads to comparable hunger and satiety scores, GLP-1 and PYY levels, and subsequent sucrose preference and intake.

Does an increased intake of added sugar affect appetite in overweight or obese adults, when compared with lower intakes? A systematic review of the literature

“…A review of each article according to the quality criteria checklist (13) rated the quality of nineteen of the twenty-one studies as positive. A total of two studies were rated neutral as participant selection was not described (19,20) (online Supplementary material I). Based on the NHMRC level of evidence (15) , all except three studies (21)(22)(23) were randomised controlled trials (level II).…”

“…Included studies evaluated the effects of AS consumption through food (n 5), beverages (n 12) or a combination of foods and beverages (n 2) over a period of time ranging from 1 d (20,(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32) to 6 months (33) . Characteristics of included studies are displayed in Table 1.…”

“…Participants' mean BMI ranged from 26•1 (30) to 41•1 kg/m 2 (31) and the mean age ranged from 22 (34) to 57 years (27) . A total of three studies analysed only males (19,27,28) , eight only females (22)(23)(24)(30)(31)(32)35,36) and the remainder involved both sexes (16)(17)(18)20,21,25,26,29,33,34) .…”

The effects of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers on obesity and diabetes: a review

“…It has been reported that most sugar alcohols can prevent tooth decay and act as prebiotics to promote the growth of the beneficial bacteria in the gut (Belloir et al, 2017). They may also promote gut hormone release and have been used as a sugar alternative for people with diabetes (Overduin et al, 2016).…”

“…A recent study demonstrated that xylitol and erythritol intake can stimulate GLP-1 and CCK release in the gut of both lean and obese subjects (Wölnerhanssen et al, 2016). Overduin et al (2016) reported that erythritol has a similar effect on trigger and control GLP-1 and PYY release in lean (not obese) subjects compared with sucrose. Similar in vitro results indicated that both sugars and artificial sweeteners (e.g.…”