Recent research questions the common belief that cutting back on sugary foods leads to fewer cravings and improved health. A study conducted by researchers from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom reveals that adults who altered their intake of sweet-tasting foods over several months did not show a significant change in their preference for sweetness.
The study, published in January in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that participants’ body weight and indicators related to diabetes and heart disease remained relatively stable.
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This discovery challenges the notion that minimizing sweet foods can help “train” the body to desire them less and underscores that sweet taste and sugar content are not necessarily interchangeable.
“Humans naturally love sweet tastes, a fact that has led numerous organizations, including the World Health Organization, to recommend reducing sweetness in our diets,” stated Katherine Appleton, a co-author of the study and a psychology professor at Bournemouth University, England.
Cutting back on sweet foods may not reduce cravings, a new study has found.
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Appleton further stated, “Our findings do not support current dietary recommendations, which often overlook the fact that sweet taste may originate from sugar, low-calorie sweeteners, or natural sources.”
The clinical trial involved 180 adults divided into three groups: one consumed a high-sweetness diet, another adhered to a low-sweetness diet, and the last maintained a moderate level of sweetness.
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The diets comprised a variety of foods, including sugar, naturally sweet items like fruit and dairy, along with low-calorie sweeteners.
Over six months, researchers monitored participants’ preferences for sweet foods, as well as their weight and cardiovascular disease and diabetes biomarkers.
Naturally sweet foods like fruit and dairy can still be part of a healthy diet, experts note.
Ultimately, the study found no notable differences among the groups for any of these metrics. Participants generally reverted to their original eating habits once the trial concluded, indicating that preferences for sweetness may be relatively entrenched in adulthood.
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“It’s not merely about consuming less sweet foods to combat obesity,” Appleton pointed out. “The health concerns primarily relate to sugar consumption.”
Some fast food may not taste sweet yet still contains high sugar levels, while naturally sweet foods like fresh fruit and dairy offer health benefits, she remarked.
Cravings may be influenced more by habits, stress, and overall diet than by sweetness alone.
Consequently, public health recommendations should prioritize strategies for reducing added sugar intake, portion sizes, and overall calorie intake, as indicated by the study.
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Experts suggest that cravings are shaped by a range of aspects. Addressing these underlying factors may be key to their reduction.
“Cravings seem to be more influenced by overall diet quality, stress levels, sleep habits, meal timing, and exposure to highly processed foods, rather than the sweetness of the diet,” stated Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian and certified diabetes educator based in New York, who was not involved in the study.
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Routhenstein recommended reducing added sugars and highly processed foods, emphasizing the importance of balanced meals that include proteins, fats, and fiber, and opting for nutritious alternatives to high-sugar sweets as a strategy for managing cravings.
Experts emphasize that sugar intake — not just sweetness — may be more important for health.
According to the researchers, their findings were based on a cohort of largely healthy adults, suggesting that further research is needed within different populations.
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The study received funding from various public and private sources, including groups from the food and beverage sector. Some researchers reported prior interactions with companies involved in sweeteners and food.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the study’s authors for additional insights.
Original article source: Why your sugar cravings won’t go away, even if you stop eating sweets
