Health Effects of Substituting Sugary Beverages With Artificially-sweetened Beverages or Water
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Body Weight
In brief
Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contribute an alarming \~7% of calories in the US diet among adults, making SSBs the single largest source of added sugar. However, whether artificially sweetened beverages are a healthful alternative for reducing SSB intake among habitual SSB consumers is unknown. Therefore, the investigators will conduct a 4-arm randomized diet intervention trial to test the effects of substituting SSBs with calorie-free alternatives on body weight and health, among habitual SSB consumers with overweight/obesity.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT04567108
- Run by
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- People needed
- 461
- Starts
- 2021-04-22
- Expected to finish
- 2026-05-21
- Last updated by the study team
- 2026-07-17
Who can join
Age: 20 and older, up to 69. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Adults aged 20-69 years
- Consume ≥1 serving/day (12 oz.) of SSBs (SSBs include soda, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, and sweetened waters, sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, or fruit juices. SSBs do not include 100% fruit juice, sweetened teas, or flavored milk.)
- BMI 25.0 to 45.0 kg/m2
- Access to a smartphone and willingness and ability to download study app
- Willing to consume beverages consistent with any of the 4 possible group assignments for 6 months
You may not qualify if…
- Physician diagnosis of T2D or fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL at in-person screening visit
- Intention to move away from greater Boston area within 1 year from randomization
- Major medical illness (known cardiovascular disease, cancer, kidney disease, cirrhosis, etc.)
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Medication that may affect weight or other study endpoints
- Another family or household member participating in the study
- Pregnant in the past 12 months, currently breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant during the study period
Where it is running
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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