Effects of a Food Preservative on Glucose Homeostasis

Soft drink consumption has been repeatedly implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Interestingly, epidemiology studies have yielded inconsistent results. Some studies identify sugar-sweetened beverages as the culprit, whereas others point towards artificially-sweetened beverages. Beyond differences in methodology, these conflicting reports raise the question whether another ingredient common to both sugar and artificially-sweetened soft drinks, such as a preservative, might play a role.

Benzoate salts are widely used preservatives in products such as sodas, canned goods, and pharmaceuticals. Interestingly, there is published evidence that sodium benzoate and its metabolite hippurate can affect pancreatic islet function and impair glucose tolerance. However, the effects of oral sodium benzoate at concentrations typically used in our diet on glucose homeostasis have not been systematically studied. Here, we propose to close this knowledge gap.

We will recruit 15 healthy, overweight volunteers, age 18-35. Each subject will receive 4 interventions: an oral glucose challenge 1) with and 2) without 0.1% benzoic acid, and a drink of water 3) with and 4) without 0.1% benzoic acid. Blood samples will be analyzed for glucose, insulin, glucagon, and a panel of approximately 300 different metabolites at baseline and serially for 2 hours after each intervention. Factorial analysis of variance will be performed to determine the effects of benzoic acid in the presence and absence of glucose, and interactions between glucose and benzoate. The planned sample size of 15 will provide 80% power to detect an effect-size of 0.16 standard-deviations in outcome measures, and an interaction-effect of 0.33 standard-deviations, with a critical value p=0.05.

If we find through this study that sodium benzoate significantly affects glucose tolerance, the public health implications would be great. High level, frequent consumption might cause diseases associated with insulin resistance, chiefly T2DM. Furthermore, its presence in OGTT testing solutions could provide misleading results.

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women age 18-35
• BMI 25-30

Exclusion criteria

• Diabetes Mellitus (fasting Blood Glucose ≥ 126mg/dl)
• Exercise more than 60 minutes more that 4 times a week
• Major medical illness
• Medications or supplements that can influence glucose metabolism
• Large fluctuations in weight (>5% over the past 6 months)
• Currently following a weight loss program
• Consumption of more than 24 ounces of soda per day (defined as sugar- or artificially sweetened beverages, e.g. colas or fruit punches, excluding hot tea and coffee)
• Allergy or intolerance to sodium benzoate
• Nicotine use
• Illicit substance use
• Women with irregular menstrual cycles, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding