Physiological Effects of Stevia Consumption in Humans

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER · Jun 18, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Excess consumption of caloric sweeteners contributes to the alarming rates of overweight and obesity, whereas non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are non-caloric alternatives offering sensory and health benefits. NNS are widely used to moderate energy intake and postprandial glycaemia, but there is controversial evidence about their role and effects. Stevia, a natural NNS, has been suggested to assist with glucose regulation but data on glucose tolerance after daily consumption of stevia are lacking. The investigators plan to undertake a pilot randomized 2-parallel arm open-label 12-week trial, ...

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 18-40 years
• • BMI 18.5-25 kg/m2
• • No or low NNS consumers (up to 1 can of diet soda per week or 1 sachet of NNS per week)
• • DEBQ for restraint eating ≤ 3
• • Healthy - general good health
• • Not taking medications that affect metabolism or appetite (i.e. thiazide diuretics, glucocorticoids or beta blockers)
• • Stable weight, ≤ 5 kg last 12 months
• • Fasting blood glucose ≤6.0 mmol/L
• • Willing to comply with the study protocol
• • No self-reported food allergy or intolerance to foods supplied during the study
• • The participant is capable of giving written informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the consent form.
• • The participant is able to read, comprehend and record information written in English.
• • A signed and dated written informed consent is obtained from the participant.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Age under 18 years or over 40 years old.
• • BMI \>25 kg/m2 and \<18.5kg/m2
• • Participants who are not willing to comply with study procedures (including expression of dislike for NNS)
• • Habitual NNS consumers, \>1 can of diet beverage or \>1 sachet of low calorie sweeteners per week.
• • Fasting blood glucose measured \> 6 mmol/L
• • Subjects who are currently dieting and having ceased a diet in \< 4 weeks
• • DEBQ score for restraint eating \> 3
• • Subjects who follow special diets for weight maintenance, such as Atkins Diet, Weight Watchers, gluten-free diet, The Zone diet, Vegetarian Diet, Raw Food Diet etc.
• • Vegetarians, vegans
• • Subjects who take recreational substances such as cannabis.
• • Presence of any chronic condition requiring medication that might affect our results (e.g. diabetes, mental diseases, gastrointestinal diseases)
• • Subjects with eating disorders (binge eating disorder, bulimia etc)
• • Subjects who are currently experiencing anxiety or depression
• • Participants who drink alcohol more than the NHS guidelines (14 units per week)
• • \>10 h of vigorous physical activities per week and/or planning to increase/decrease physical activity levels in the next months.
• • Having ceased smoking in the last six months
• • Female participants who are, or may be, pregnant, or currently lactating.
• • Subjects who regularly consume dietary supplements for weight loss, muscle building etc.
• • Subjects with food allergies or intolerances related to the study.
• • Subjects who have given blood elsewhere within the last month.
• • The participant cannot read, comprehend and record information written in English.