Splenda: Effects on Blood Glucose Concentration, Appetite Scores and Subsequent Energy Intake

The Effects of Splenda (Sucralose) on Blood Glucose Concentration, Appetite Scores and Subsequent Energy Intake in Humans: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT05810337

Enrollment

Registered

2023-04-12

Start date

2023-01-18

Completion date

2023-03-13

Last updated

2023-04-12

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Appetitive Behavior, Glucose Metabolism Disorders

Keywords

Blood glucose, Appetite, Energy intake

Brief summary

This study investigates the effects of Splenda, an artificial sweetener powder containing sucralose, on post-prandial blood glucose levels, appetite scores and subsequent energy intake.

Detailed description

Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the placebo drink (4.5g maltodextrin dissolved in 250ml water) or the Splenda drink (4.5g Splenda dissolved in 250ml water) taken alongside a high calorie breakfast. Blood glucose measurements will be obtained through finger-pricking and appetite will be measured using self-reported visual analogue scores rating hunger, desire to eat, fullness and alertness for up to 3 hours after breakfast. Energy intake will be measured using a 24 hour food diary.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTSplenda drink

4.5g Splenda containing 1% sucralose, 95% maltodextrin, dissolved in 250ml water and consumed with a high carbohydrate breakfast.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTMaltodextrin drink

4.5g maltodextrin dissolved in 250ml water and consumed with a high carbohydrate breakfast.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTHigh carbohydrate breakfast

Meal consisting of 30g cereal with 100ml skimmed milk, 1.5 slices white toast with 12g margarine, providing 386kcal, 61.4g carbohydrate, 10.4g protein and 10.1g fat.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 64 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy male and female adults (18-64 years)

Exclusion criteria

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Change in blood glucose	-5 to 180 minutes (measured from baseline up to 90min every 15min and from 90-180min every 30min)	Capillary blood glucose from fingerprick and measured using glucose monitor
Change in appetite	-5 to 180 minutes (measured from baseline up to 90min every 15min and from 90-180min every 30min)	Feelings of hunger, desire to eat, fullness and alertness measured using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
24 hour energy intake	0 - 24 hours	Food intake over the 24 hours of the study day using a 24 hour food diary entered into dietary analysis software

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026