Following on from our webinar on The Science of Snacking, we’ve pulled together some of the key resources and references discussed within the webinar.
These references explore the science behind sweet taste preferences, snacking behaviour and habit change, alongside the role of gut–brain signalling, food structure and satiety in shaping our eating choices.
If you missed the live webinar, you can register to watch the recording.
Guidelines – Sugar and Sweet Taste
World Health Organization. Guideline: Sugars Intake for Adults and Children. World Health Organization; 2015.
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Carbohydrates and Health. Public Health England; 2015.
Public Health England. Why 5%? An Explanation of SACN’s Recommendations About Sugars and Health. Public Health England; 2015.
Key Studies – Sweet Taste
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
Čad EM, Tang CS, de Jong HBT, Mars M, Appleton KM, de Graaf K. Study protocol of the sweet tooth study, randomized controlled trial with partial food provision on the effect of low, regular and high dietary sweetness exposure on sweetness preferences in Dutch adults. BMC Public Health. 2023;23:77. doi:10.1186/s12889-022-14946-4
Appleton KM, Tuorila H, Bertenshaw EJ, de Graaf C, Mela DJ. Sweet taste exposure and the subsequent acceptance and preference for sweet taste in the diet: systematic review of the published literature. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018;107(3):405-419. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqx031
Mela DJ, Risso D. Does sweetness exposure drive ‘sweet tooth’? Br J Nutr. 2024;131(11):1934-1944. doi:10.1017/S000711452400048
Higgins KA, et al. Scoping review and evidence map of the relation between exposure to dietary sweetness and body weight-related outcomes in adults. Adv Nutr. 2022;13:2341-2356. doi:10.1093/advances/nmac090
Wise PM, et al. Reduced dietary intake of simple sugars alters perceived sweet taste intensity but not perceived pleasantness. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016;103:50-60. doi:10.3945/ajcn.115.112300
Key Studies – Snacking Behaviour and Behaviour Change
Ogden J, Coop N, Cousins C, et al. Distraction, the desire to eat and food intake. Towards an expanded model of mindless eating. Appetite. 2013;62:119-126. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2012.11.023
Rose J, Pedrazzi R, Dombrowski SU. Examining dietary self-talk content and context for discretionary snacking behaviour: a qualitative interview study. Health Psychol Behav Med. 2022;10(1):399-414. doi:10.1080/21642850.2022.2053686
Edgren R, Baretta D, Inauen J. Habit degradation strategies promote faster early reductions in unhealthy snacking habit strength in intensive longitudinal randomised controlled trial. Commun Psychol. 2026;4:67. doi:10.1038/s44271-026-00432-9
Key Studies – Gut Signalling and Satiety
Gribble FM, Reimann F. Function and mechanisms of enteroendocrine cells and gut hormones in metabolism. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2019;15(4):226–237. doi:10.1038/s41574-019-0168-8
de Lartigue G, Brierley DI, Choi HJ. The critical role of gut–brain signalling in eating behaviour and obesity. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2026;23(8):608–627. doi:10.1038/s41575-026-01203-x
Wyatt P, Berry SE, Finlayson G, et al. Postprandial glycaemic dips predict appetite and energy intake in healthy individuals. Nat Metab. 2021;3(4):523–529. doi:10.1038/s42255-021-00383-x
Sun FH, Li C, Zhang YJ, Wong SHS, Wang L. Effect of glycemic index of breakfast on energy intake at subsequent meal among healthy people: a meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2016;8(1):37. doi:10.3390/nu8010037
Speakers:
Eva Marija Čad, PhD
Sensory and Eating Behaviour Scientist
Jane Ogden
Professor in Health Psychology
Sophie Medlin
Sophie Medlin, Specialist Dietitian, CityDietitians
@sophiedietitian
About Driscoll’s – Webinar Partner
Driscoll’s is the global market leader in fresh berries, working with independent growers to develop and supply great tasting strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. As a company focused on delighting consumers, Driscoll’s is committed to making nutritious, naturally sweet fruit an enjoyable part of everyday eating.
Driscoll’s. (2026, September 24). Brits report losing over 15 working days a year to mid-afternoon energy slumps as nutritional experts spotlight high fibre raspberries. PR Newswire. Read the press release
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