Effect of Flavored, Carbonated Drinks on Salivary Flow, Salivary Composition, and Taste Perceptions

Launched by PEPSICO GLOBAL R&D · Apr 15, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how flavored, carbonated drinks affect saliva production and taste perception compared to regular drinks like water or carbonated water. Researchers want to understand whether these drinks change how much saliva we produce and what we taste, which could help us learn more about our eating and drinking experiences.

To be eligible for this trial, participants should be between 18 and 45 years old, enjoy drinking carbonated beverages regularly, and be able to read and write in English. It’s important that they are not pregnant or nursing, and they should avoid alcohol for 24 hours before each visit. Participants will need to fast for two hours before study sessions. They should also be in good health overall and not have any conditions that could interfere with the study. Those who join the study can expect to try different drinks and share their experiences, helping researchers gather valuable information about how these beverages impact our taste and saliva.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Subject is male or female
• • If female, subject is not pregnant or nursing (based on self-report)
• • Subject is 18-45 years of age, inclusive
• • Subject is a regular consumer of carbonated drinks (questionnaire)
• • Subject is willing to avoid alcohol consumption 24 hours prior to visits
• • Subject is willing to fast (no food or gum) for 2 hours prior to study sessions
• • Able to speak, write, and read English
• • Provision of written consent to participate
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Subject smokes, vapes, or uses any nicotine/tobacco products (or has quit for less than 6 months)
• • Subject currently has or recently had an illness (cold, flu, COVID) within the past month
• • Subject has a condition affecting the oral cavity such as Xerostomia (dry mouth), Sores/lesions, Untreated dental caries, Major dental implants/appliances (including dentures)
• • Subject has a reduced sense of taste (dysgeusia) or smell (parosmia)
• • Subject has a health condition that would interfere with the study as indicated on the general health questionnaire (GHQ) (including cardiovascular, renal, or metabolic diseases)
• • Subject has participated in a clinical trial within the past 30 days
• • Subject has participated in any PepsiCo trial within past 6 months
• • Subject has a condition or is taking medication that the investigator believes would interfere with his/her ability to provide informed consent, comply with the study protocol, which might confound the interpretation of the study results, or put the person at undue risk
• • Subject is employed by, or has a parent, guardian, or other immediate family member employed by a company that manufactures any products that compete with any PepsiCo product. If subject is unsure if a company would be considered a competitor to PepsiCo, they will be asked to please let the study investigator know the name of the other company and the nature of their relationship to that company before they sign the informed consent.