This Trial Aims to Assess the Effects of Three Different Taste-based Dietary Recommendations for Reducing Free Sugar Intakes on Free Sugar Consumption in UK High Free Sugar Consumers

Reducing Free Sugar Intakes - The Role of Sweet Taste III

This randomised controlled trial aims to assess the effects of three different taste-based dietary recommendations for reducing free sugar intakes on free sugar consumption in UK high free sugar consumers.

This 12-week, 3-arm randomised controlled trial aims to assess the effects of three different taste-based food and beverage substitution instructions for reducing free sugar intakes on free sugar consumption in high free sugar consumers. A total of 180 adult community members residing in Bournemouth and the surrounding areas will be recruited. All participants will be asked to reduce their intakes of free sugar and replace sweet, high-free sugar foods and beverages with either: 1) sweet tasting foods and beverages that have no or low amounts of free sugars; 2) non-sweet tasting foods and beverages that have no or low amounts of free sugars and are high in other tasty flavours; and 3) non-sweet tasting foods and beverages that have no or low amounts of free sugars and are also low in other flavours. The primary outcome of interest is the changes in free sugar intakes from baseline to endpoint. Secondary outcomes include a range of dietary and biopsychosocial outcomes, sweet taste perceptions and sweet food and beverage intakes, as well as compliance with and evaluation of the dietary recommendation received.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18 and over
2. Consuming more than 10% total daily energy from free sugars (-3% for testing error)
3. Residing in the South of England, and able to attend Bournemouth University for testing (Talbot Campus, BH12 5BB)
4. Able to provide consent and complete all study-related measures

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Being a smoker or having smoked in the last 3 months
2. Being pregnant or breastfeeding
3. Being underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²)
4. Dieting or following a specific diet program (e.g., Weight Watchers, Keto diet, or Intermittent Fasting)
5. Following a specific diet or nutritional advice as a result of pre-existing medical condition (e.g., Crohn's disease, diabetes)
6. Having a pre-existing medical condition or taking medication that could affect taste and/or smell abilities (e.g., certain blood pressure and heart medications)
7. Allergies to foods and drinks used in the study