Application of temporal penalty analysis for the optimization of sugar reduction in protein beverages

This study evaluated the application of penalty analysis to temporal evaluation of vanilla‐flavored protein beverages sweetened with different sweeteners. Iso‐sweet concentrations of sucrose, sucralose, stevia, and monk fruit, as well as natural sweetener blends, were assessed in the study. Ready‐to‐mix protein beverages were formulated with flavoring, sweetener, and whey protein isolate (25 g protein per 360 ml serving). Consumers (n = 143 total) participated in both temporal liking and temporal check‐all‐that‐apply (TCATA) exercises. Consumer results from temporal liking were matched at each second with results from their TCATA profiling. Significant penalties to liking associated with the presence or absence of attributes were subsequently identified. The sucrose formulation received no penalties and had the most consistent temporal liking of all formulations. Monk fruit beverages were penalized (p