An investigation of the role of oro-sensory stimulation in sugar satiety

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether oral factors stimulated by the presence of sucrose in the mouth are involved in the suppression of appetite following sucrose ingestion. DESIGN: Ten male and 10 female healthy volunteers participated in four experimental conditions designed to provide differing levels of oro-sensory stimulation. Appetite and energy intake from a test meal were measured after subjects chewed and ingested sucrose-containing pastilles over a 10 min period, consumed a sucrose-containing jelly over a 5 min period, consumed a sucrose-containing drink within 2 min and drank plain water within 2 min. The three sucrose-containing preloads were similar in nutrient composition, each containing 251 kJ. RESULTS: Ratings of hunger and fullness did not differ between the four conditions following ingestion of the preloads. However, energy intake from a test lunch was significantly reduced after consuming the pastilles when compared with the plain water and equicaloric sweet drink conditions. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that enhanced oro-sensory stimulation from chewing the sweet. food was involved in the suppression of food intake.