Reducing Free Sugar Intakes: A Role for Sweet Taste II

The primary objective of this randomised controlled trial is to assess the effects of three different types of dietary advice, for reducing total energy intakes (TEI) of free sugars. A total of 150 participants (age 18-65 years) consuming diets >5% total energy intake from dietary free sugars will be recruited from across the Dorset region. All participants will be asked to reduce their free sugar intake to <5% TEI, and to aid with this, they will be encouraged to reduce their intakes of specific foods identified as high in free sugars. Participants will also be advised to replace these foods with other foods dependent on their taste. Participants will be randomised to replace high sugar foods with: 1) foods that are low in sugars, but high in sweet taste; 2) food that are low in sugars, but high in other tastes; and 3) foods that are low in taste. The primary outcome will be changes in free sugar consumption from baseline to endpoint at week 4. Secondary outcomes will include change in: BMI; dietary profiles; sweetness preference; sweetness liking; food choices; low calorie sweetened food intakes and adherence levels at week 4.

Inclusion criteria

• aged 18-65 years;
• able to provide consent and complete all study materials;
• consuming >5% of TEI from free sugars;
• residing in the South of England, and able to attend Bournemouth University for testing.

Exclusion criteria

• individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding;
• underweight (BMI <18.5);
• have pre-existing clinical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, eating disorders, Crohn's disease and other illness's leading to participants receiving external nutritional advice and dietary restrictions;
• have pre-existing medical conditions affecting swallow ability, taste and smell perception;
• currently following a specific dietary programme (e.g.: Slimming World);
• current smokers or have smoked within 3 months of the study start date.