Health Effects of Substituting Sugary Beverages With Artificially-sweetened Beverages or Water

Description

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contribute an alarming \~7% of calories in the US diet among adults, making SSBs the single largest source of added sugar. However, whether artificially sweetened beverages are a healthful alternative for reducing SSB intake among habitual SSB consumers is unknown. Therefore, the investigators will conduct a 4-arm randomized diet intervention trial to test the effects of substituting SSBs with calorie-free alternatives on body weight and health, among habitual SSB consumers with overweight/obesity.

Conditions

Body Weight

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contribute an alarming \~7% of calories in the US diet among adults, making SSBs the single largest source of added sugar. However, whether artificially sweetened beverages are a healthful alternative for reducing SSB intake among habitual SSB consumers is unknown. Therefore, the investigators will conduct a 4-arm randomized diet intervention trial to test the effects of substituting SSBs with calorie-free alternatives on body weight and health, among habitual SSB consumers with overweight/obesity.

SUBstituting With Preferred Options: Health Effects of Substituting Sugar-sweetened Beverages With Non-caloric Beverages in Adults With Overweight and Obesity

Health Effects of Substituting Sugary Beverages With Artificially-sweetened Beverages or Water

Condition
Body Weight
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Boston

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Adults aged 20-69 years
  • 2. Consume ≥1 serving/day (12 oz.) of SSBs (SSBs include soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened waters, sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, or fruit juices. SSBs do not include 100% fruit juice, sweetened teas, or flavored milk.)
  • 3. BMI 25.0 to 45.0 kg/m2
  • 4. Access to a smartphone and willingness and ability to download study app
  • 5. Willing to consume beverages consistent with any of the 4 possible group assignments for 6 months
  • 1. Physician diagnosis of T2D or fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL at in-person screening visit
  • 2. Intention to move away from greater Boston area within 1 year from randomization
  • 3. Major medical illness (known cardiovascular disease, cancer, kidney disease, cirrhosis, etc.)
  • 4. Phenylketonuria (PKU)
  • 5. Medication that may affect weight or other study endpoints
  • 6. Another family or household member participating in the study
  • 7. Pregnant in the past 12 months, currently breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study period

Ages Eligible for Study

20 Years to 69 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Brigham and Women's Hospital,

Deirdre Tobias, ScD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Study Record Dates

2025-06-01