Effects of Consuming Sugar-Sweetened Beverages for 2 Weeks on 24-h Circulating Leptin Profiles, Ad Libitum Food Intake and Body Weight in Young Adults

Sugar-sweetened beverage (sugar-SB) consumption is associated with body weight gain. We investigated whether the changes of (Δ) circulating leptin contribute to weight gain and ad libitum food intake in young adults consuming sugar-SB for two weeks. In a parallel, double-blinded, intervention study, participants ( = 131; BMI 18-35 kg/m ; 18-40 years) consumed three beverages/day containing aspartame or 25% energy requirement as glucose, fructose, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or sucrose ( = 23-28/group). Body weight, ad libitum food intake and 24-h leptin area under the curve (AUC) were assessed at Week 0 and at the end of Week 2. The Δbody weight was not different among groups ( = 0.092), but the increases in subjects consuming HFCS- ( = 0.0008) and glucose-SB ( = 0.018) were significant compared with Week 0. Subjects consuming sucrose- (+14%, < 0.0015), fructose- (+9%, = 0.015) and HFCS-SB (+8%, = 0.017) increased energy intake during the ad libitum food intake trial compared with subjects consuming aspartame-SB (-4%, = 0.0037, effect of SB). Fructose-SB decreased (-14 ng/mL × 24 h, = 0.0006) and sucrose-SB increased (+25 ng/mL × 24 h, = 0.025 vs. Week 0; = 0.0008 vs. fructose-SB) 24-h leptin AUC. The Δad libitum food intake and Δbody weight were not influenced by circulating leptin in young adults consuming sugar-SB for 2 weeks. Studies are needed to determine the mechanisms mediating increased energy intake in subjects consuming sugar-SB.