The acute effect of sugar- and artificial- sweetener beverages on plasma glycemia, plasma antioxidant status and self-report appetite in healthy men

Excessive consumption of sugar-sweetener beverages is a cause of chronic disease such as obesity and diabetes because of the impairment of postprandial state and enhancement of energy intake. Therefore, plant-derived sweetener as substitution of sugar is an alternative sweetener but the evidence in human is limited. We aimed to determine the effects of carbohydrate sugar (high fructose syrup, organic brown rice syrup, honey, and sucrose) or sweetener (stevia leaf extract and aspartame) beverage on postprandial plasma glucose level, plasma antioxidant status, appetite, and ad libitum in healthy men. Thirteen healthy men were included in six randomized, crossover study. Each participant received breakfast meal together with either 400 mL of carbohydrate sugar (570 kcal/ serving) or sweetener (406 kcal/ serving) beverage. Visual analogue scale ratings for appetite (fullness, hunger, desire to eat, and satiety) and repeated blood sampling for plasma glycemia and antioxidant status were assessed for 240 min. Then, they were allowed to choose and consume foods at an ad libitum as a buffet-like meal at 240 min. We found that BRS-containing beverage was positively associated with postprandial plasma glucose, FRAP and ORAC (P< 0.05) compared to other beverages. In addition, it also significantly increased satiety and fullness (P< 0.05) compared to others but no significant difference was found for energy intake ad libitum meal. However, increased satiety and fullness in healthy subjects was associated with reduced energy intake an ad libitum meal. Therefore, decreased energy intake ad libitum may decrease risk of weight gain and other chronic disease.