RESOURCE

Study Purpose/Description

A range of low-calorie (or “non-nutritive”) sweeteners have been used as “healthy” substitutes for sugar in foods and beverages. However, large population studies suggest that regular intake of these sweeteners can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Our preliminary work suggests some sweeteners may act via the kidneys to increase blood glucose levels.

We will supplement study participants with one of two low-calorie sweeteners (acesulfame-K or sucralose) or placebo, provided in capsules over 2 weeks, and assess the impact of these sweeteners on urinary glucose concentrations and the sensitivity to the glucose-lowering hormone, insulin.

What’s Involved? 

The study requires 4 study visits which include two visits <1 hour to conduct a screening assessment and to provide necessary equipment for the study protocol, and two study visits lasting 4-6 hours, at the Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences (AHMS) building.

On arrival for the study visits, we will place a cannula (thin plastic tube) into a vein in each of your forearms. One will allow blood sampling at intervals throughout the study for measurements of blood glucose and kidney function, and the other will be used for intravenous infusion of glucose to maintain your blood glucose level at 10 mmol/L (if you do not have diabetes) or 15 mmol/L (if you have type 2 diabetes) for 2.5 hours. You will be provided a 400 mL cup of water every 30 min for 2 hours to encourage urine collection. Samples of urine will be collected every 60 minutes for 2 hours.

At the conclusion of each study day, you will be given a meal, and we will continue monitoring your blood glucose levels to ensure that they are stabilised above 4 mmol/L, if you do not have diabetes, and above 5 mmol/L, if you have type 2 diabetes, before you leave the laboratory.

We will also be collecting information about food intake using diet diaries, and will collect a stool sample at the beginning and end of the study. Blood tests will be performed to exclude diabetes mellitus (if without known diabetes), iron deficiency and significant anaemia/kidney/liver disease.

Want to learn more?

• Complete the following
  • If no previous diagnosis of diabetes: screening survey H
    If diagnosed type 2 diabetes: screening survey T2
• Email the researchers at Malcolm.borg@adelaide.edu.au