(P08-016-24) Change in Liking Following Reduction in Sweetness Level of Carbonated Beverages: A Randomized Controlled Parallel Trial

Objectives: Despite recommendations to reduce the consumption of sweet foods/beverages, there is limited understanding of our ability to adapt to a less sweet diet and the optimal method for doing so. We investigated whether different methods of reducing sweetness (a stepwise reduction (StepR) and a direct reduction (DirR)) could change sweetness liking in consumers of full-sugar sweetened (FSS) or low-calorie sweetened (LCS) carbonated soft drinks (CSD) in the USA and Mexico.

Methods: We conducted two parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled trials over 6 months in the USA (n=169) and Mexico (n=208) where habitual consumers (25-55 y) of FSS-CSD or LCS-CSD were assigned to one of three provided interventions (6 groups per trial). The control group consumed full sweetness CSD (C); StepR group consumed a test CSD with decreasing sweetness levels; and DirR group consumed a reduced sweetness test CSD from the outset. Participants were instructed to consume 1-2 test beverages daily and not to change any other aspects of their diet. The primary outcome was change in sweetness Likert scale rating of 4 different test beverages (7, 9, 11, and 13 g sugar or sugar equivalents/100 mL). Secondary outcomes were end of study purchase intent as well as changes in total dietary intake and body weight.

Results: In the USA FSS-CSD cohort C group, we observed a decrease in liking only for the 7g test beverage, but no change in liking for any of the test beverages for the StepR or DirR groups. Sweetness liking did not change over time by treatment group in any of the USA LCS-CSD groups or any of the Mexico FSS-CSD or LCS-CSD groups. All participants in both studies showed a greater willingness to purchase reduced sweetness CSD compared to their respective C groups. There was no evidence of dietary compensation and body weight remained stable throughout the intervention period.

Conclusions: Our study suggests the possibility of adapting to a less sweet beverage but that strategies to achieve these need to consider habitual diet and regional preferences.

Funding Sources: Financial support for this study was provided by PepsiCo, Inc. The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of PepsiCo, Inc.