Key Resources: Sweet taste exposure, preference, and health

Following on from our webinar on Sweet taste exposure, preference, and health What does the evidence tell us? we’ve pulled together some of the key resources and references discussed within the webinar. If you missed the live webinar, you can register to watch the recording.

Studies

Čad EM, Mars M, Pretorius L, et al. The Sweet Tooth Trial: A Parallel Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of A 6-Month Low, Regular, or High Dietary Sweet Taste Exposure on Sweet Taste Liking, and Various Outcomes Related to Food Intake and Weight Status. Am J Clin Nutr. 2026;123(1):101073. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.09.041

Greyling A, Appleton KM, Raben A, Mela DJ. Acute glycemic and insulinemic effects of low-energy sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020;112(4):1002-1014. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa167

Wen J, Wu Q, Li S, Liu Y, Wen D. Effects of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners on Weight Loss and Maintenance, Metabolic Improvement, and Appetite Regulation in Weight Management Programs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutr Rev. Published online July 16, 2025. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuaf094

Pang MD, Kjølbæk L, Bastings JJAJ, et al. Effect of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers on weight management and gut microbiota composition in individuals with overweight or obesity: the SWEET study. Nat Metab. 2025;7(10):2083-2098. doi:10.1038/s42255-025-01381-z

Rogers PJ, Appleton KM. The effects of low-calorie sweeteners on energy intake and body weight: a systematic review and meta-analyses of sustained intervention studies. Int J Obes (Lond). 2021;45(3):464-478. doi:10.1038/s41366-020-00704-2

Miller PE, Perez V. Low-calorie sweeteners and body weight and composition: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014;100(3):765-777. doi:10.3945/ajcn.113.082826

Li, D., Han, L., Yu, Z. et al. Effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on body weight: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies. J Endocrinol Invest (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-025-02654-w

Rios-Leyvraz, Montez, World Health Organization. 2022. Health effects of the use of non-sugar sweeteners: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Harrold JA, Hill S, Radu C, et al. Non-nutritive sweetened beverages versus water after a 52-week weight management programme: a randomised controlled trial. Int J Obes (Lond). 2024;48(1):83-93. doi:10.1038/s41366-023-01393-3

Higgins KA, Mattes RD. A randomized controlled trial contrasting the effects of 4 low-calorie sweeteners and sucrose on body weight in adults with overweight or obesity. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109(5):1288-1301. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy381

Bertino M, Beauchamp GK, Engelman K. Increasing dietary salt alters salt taste preference. Physiol Behav. 1986;38(2):203-213. doi:10.1016/0031-9384(86)90155-1

International Sweeteners Association

The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) is an international non-profit organisation with scientific aims representing suppliers and users of low/no calorie sweeteners. It aims to inform and to educate on the most up-to-date nutritional and scientific information on the role and benefits of low/no calorie sweeteners, and the foods and beverages that contain them.