07/07/2025
Popular no-calorie sweetener may increase hunger
Scientists found that over all, people had greater blood flow in the hypothalamus after drinking the sucralose-sweetened beverage compared to plain water or the sugar-sweetened drink. This suggests a stronger hunger-related brain response, indicating increased appetite and cravings, and may explain why those who drank the sucralose-sweetened beverage felt hungrier afterward. Reactions varied by weight groups. People at healthy weights showed a stronger increase in hypothalamus blood flow after drinking the sucralose beverage than the sugared drink or plain water. Those classified as obese showed higher blood flow after drinking either the sucralose or sugared beverages compared to plain water. And those in the overweight category did not show significant differences in blood flow in response to any drink.