A recent randomised crossover trial has raised concerns about the impact of the artificial sweetener sucralose on appetite regulation and brain function. The study found that sucralose affects key mechanisms in the brain’s hypothalamus—a region critical for controlling hunger and satiety.
Researchers compared the effects of sucralose, sugar (sucrose), and water on hypothalamic blood flow, hunger ratings, and brain connectivity in 75 healthy young adults.
Results showed that sucralose, unlike sugar, increased hypothalamic blood flow, a marker associated with hunger, without actually reducing hunger. Compared to sugar, which raised blood glucose and suppressed hunger, sucralose triggered greater hypothalamic activation and feelings of hunger. When compared to water, sucralose still increased hypothalamic activity, although hunger ratings remained unchanged.
This suggests that sweet taste alone, even without calories, may alter brain signals related to food intake.
The study also found significant individual differences in brain responses. Participants with obesity and those who were insulin resistant showed stronger hypothalamic responses to sucralose. Additionally, female participants exhibited greater changes in brain activity than males. These findings suggest that sex, body fat, and metabolic health can influence how the brain processes noncaloric sweeteners.
Functional MRI scans revealed that sucralose also affected communication between the hypothalamus and other brain regions, including areas involved in motivation, reward, and decision-making. These changes could have implications for cravings and eating behaviour, potentially leading to increased food intake over time, especially in vulnerable individuals.
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