Obesity and Sex-Related Associations With Differential Effects of Sucralose vs Sucrose on Appetite and Reward Processing

Abstract

Key Points Question Are adiposity and sex associated with neural, metabolic, and behavioral responses to consumption of nonnutritive sweeteners (NNSs) vs nutritive sugar? Findings In this randomized crossover trial, both obesity and female sex were associated with differential neural food cue responsivity in reward processing areas following ingestion of sucralose (an NNS) compared with sucrose (nutritive sugar). Meaning These findings suggest that female individuals and those with obesity have greater neural reward responses to NNS vs nutritive sugar consumption, highlighting the need to consider individual biological factors that might influence the efficacy of NNS.