Effects of Sweetener Consumption on Risk Factors for Heart Disease
| Registry | NCT07377097, acronym Sweetheart |
|---|---|
| Status | Not yet recruiting |
| Phase | Not applicable |
| Study type | Interventional; randomized, parallel, masking: single, basic science |
| Enrollment | 80 (Estimated) |
| Sponsor | Charite University, Berlin, Germany (Other) |
| Conditions | Prediabetic State, Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance, Thrombosis, Hypercoagulable State, Cardiovascular (CV) Risk, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), Prediabetes, Prediabetes / Type 2 Diabetes, Sweeteners |
| Interventions | Saccharin, Sucralose, Erythritol, Vehicle (Dietary supplement) |
| Dates | start 2026-01-05 (estimated), primary completion 2026-11-01 (estimated), completion 2026-11-01 (estimated), first posted 2026-01-29, last updated 2026-01-29 |
Related Papers Related Patents Related Grants Related Experts
All trials for Prediabetic State All trials for Metabolic Syndrome All trials of Saccharin All trials of Sucralose
The aim of this prospective interventional study is to investigate the metabolic effects of consuming artificial and natural sweeteners in persons with prediabetes. Prediabetes is a condition characterized by blood sugar levels that are elevated above normal but not yet meeting the criteria for type 2 diabetes. This condition markedly increases the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes, which in turn can lead to complications including cardiovascular diseases.
Artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and sucralose, as well as natural sugar substitutes like erythritol, are increasingly used as alternatives to sugar and are recommended for individuals at cardiometabolic risk - including overweight individuals, patients with prediabetes, or diabetics - to help reduce caloric intake. Recent literature has reported possible negative associations between artificial sweeteners and blood sugar regulation in healthy subjects (1). Additionally, effects on various blood cells have been observed. For example, erythritol has been shown to alter platelet function leading to increased reactivity in healthy study participants following consumption (2).
However, the impact of alternative sweeteners on metabolic processes and their effects on blood coagulation in patients with prediabetes-a population at increased risk-has not been systematically studied. In this planned interventional study, 80 patients meeting laboratory criteria for prediabetes will be randomly assigned to one of four groups, each receiving a different intervention for two weeks: saccharin, sucralose, erythritol, or a control group receiving water. The doses reflect the acceptable daily intake or known doses that are considered safe.
After enrollment, participants will visit the study center 2 times: before starting the intervention and after completing the intervention. During these visits, biological samples such as blood, urine, and stool will be collected to study metabolism, gut bacteria, immune and blood cell function. Tests will include an oral glucose tolerance test, coagulation tests, and additional blood analyses. Additionally, participants will wear a glucose monitor to track blood sugar fluctuations during the intervention.
The investigators hypothesize that consumption of alternative sweeteners negatively affects blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity in patients with prediabetes. Furthermore, this study will explore how the candidate sweeteners influence the gut microbiome, blood cells and other metabolic factors in this population.
| Arm | Type | Interventions | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saccharin Group | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Saccharin | Intervention: Saccharin |
| Sucralose Group | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Sucralose | Intervention: Sucralose |
| Erythritol Group | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Erythritol | Intervention: Erythritol |
| Control Group | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: Vehicle | Intervention: Vehicle |
Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 75 Years
Inclusion Criteria: * Presence of prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4% or glucose after oral glucose tolerance test 140 to 199 mg/dL) * Written informed consent available Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to communicate sufficiently in the required language * Dementia or other significantly cognitively impairing condition * Current pregnancy or breastfeeding * Other severe internal, neurological, or psychiatric condition * History of gout * History of gallstones / diagnosis of cholelithiasis