Sucralose and Glucose Metabolism in Young Healthy Adults

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a three-week consumption of sucralose-sweetened beverages (low-calorie sweetener) on postprandial glycemic responses in healthy adults, compared with sugar-sweetened beverages under real-world conditions. In brief, postprandial glycemic responses are used as an indicator of how your body manages blood sugar levels after consuming glucose. To explore potential mechanisms underlying any observed changes in postprandial glycemic responses, we further investigated potential alterations in gut microbiota composition and functionality, as well as plasmatic biomarkers of intestinal permeability and systemic low-grade inflammation. Finally, this project explored whether free sugars derived from a natural source (100% natural fruit juice) elicit metabolic responses that differ from those of refined sugars. Participants visited the laboratory for a preliminary screening session to assess eligibility prior to being randomly assigned to one of the three experimental groups consuming either sucralose-sweetened beverages (LCS), sucrose-sweetened beverages (SSB), or 100% natural fruit juice (FJ) at dosage approximating real-world consumption over three weeks. Participants underwent two experimental sessions (duration of 3 hours each) at the beginning and completion of the study as outlined below.

NCT Number	NCT07194772
Lead Sponsor	University of Ottawa
Conditions	Glucose Intolerance, Glucose and Insulin Response, Glucose Homeostasis, Low-grade Inflammation, Intestinal Permeability, Gut Microbiota Diversity and Composition, Gut Microbiota Modulation, Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis +5 more
Enrollment	42 participants
Start Date	2022-03-16
Primary Completion	2024-06-12 (estimated)
Study Completion	2024-06-12 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-12