The acute effect of D-tagatose on food intake in human subjects

Abstract

A double-blind randomized crossover study was performed with nineteen normal-weight men to investigate the effect on subsequent ad libitum food intake of replacing 29 g sucrose with 29 g D-TAGATOSE AS SWEETENER TO A BREAKFAST MEAL. d-Tagatose is a malabsorbed stereoisomer of fructose with potential application as a bulk sweetener. Food intake was measured at lunch offered 4 h after the breakfast meal, during the afternoon with access to abundant snacks, and finally at a supper buffet 9 h after the breakfast. Energy intake at lunch and during the snacking period was similar after ingesting the two sugars, while it was 15 % lower after ingesting d-tagatose than with sucrose at supper (P < 0·05). Gastrointestinal factors such as the osmotic effects of unabsorbed d-tagatose causing distension of the gut might have mediated the acute appetite-suppressing effect. The present paper also refers to data from a preceding study in which we observed an increased self-reported energy intake after ingestion of d-tagatose compared with sucrose which, in fact, suggests a relative hyperphagic effect of d-tagatose. However, self-reported food intake may be biased by selective under-reporting and this subsequent study with a more controlled assessment of food intake was therefore conducted. This present study did not support any hyperphagic effect of d-tagatose, but rather suggests that d-tagatose may contribute to a reduced energy intake.