The effect of Gymnema sylvestre-containing mints on sugar consumption in adults with a sweet tooth - the Liberate From Sugar, Mate! study

For an initial 14 days all participants will be treated with a placebo i.e. without the active ingredient. Participants will be required to consume the placebo mint (see below note about mints) three times per day for 14 days, at specified time points (mid-morning, mid-afternoon, post-dinner). Participants will then be randomly allocated into two experimental groups which they will be in for the following 14 days: either the Systematic or Ad-lib groups. After these 14 days, the participants will undertake the second intervention trial (i.e., “crossover” - if participants were allocated to Systematic intervention for the first 14 days, they will then follow the Ad-lib intervention for the next 14 days. Intervention B: Systematic intervention - Materials: Gymnema sylvestre (GS) mints (see below note about mints) compliance diaries - Procedures / activities: participants will undertake a 14-day GS mint intervention where they are asked to 1) consume the GS mint three times a day at specified time points and 2) complete the compliance diary daily. - Who will deliver intervention: student dietitians Imogen Nelson and David Hsiao - Mode of delivery: mints will be provided for participants at visit 2 or 3 (depending on group allocation as per cross over design), and participants will then follow the intervention for 14 days at home. - Number of times the intervention will be delivered and their duration, intensity or dose: three mints per day for 14 days. - Location where intervention occurs: participant’s homes. Intervention C: Ad-lib intervention - Materials: GS mints (please see below note about mints), compliance diaries - Procedures / activities: Participants will undertake a 14-day GS mint intervention where they are asked to 1) take GS mints freely at times of their own choosing up to six times a day and 2) complete the compliance diary daily. - Who will deliver intervention: student dietitians Imogen Nelson and David Hsiao - Mode of delivery: mints will be provided for participants at visit 2 or 3 (depending on group allocation as per cross over design), and participants will then follow the intervention for 14 days at home. - Number of times the intervention will be delivered and their duration, intensity or dose: up to six mints per day for 14 days. - Location where intervention occurs: participant’s homes. Note about wash out periods: There is no “wash out” period in between the placebo treatment and the first intervention; nor is there one in between the first and second interventions. The same product is being used in both interventions B and C, the participants are just being led to believe they are taking different products. The only thing that differs in reality with interventions B and C is the dosage at which the mints are taken. Because the same product is being used just in different ways, the research team deemed a wash out period unnecessary. Note about mints: The GS mints contain 4mg GS, 5mg chicory root inulin, in addition to sorbitol, natural and artificial flavour, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide. They are to be provided by Nu Brands, Inc and are an updated formula of the mints already available online known as Sweetkick mints) The placebo mints are produced and provided by Nu Brands, Inc as well and contain the same identical ingredients EXCEPT for the GS. All mints are to be taken orally, and all participants will receive instructions on how to take them. The standard operating procedure for taking the mint involves placing it on the tongue and sucking on it while moving it around the tongue as it dissolves so it coats the entire layer of the tongue.