Long-term effect of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers on gene expression markers of adipose tissue function, adipocyte morphology, and metabolic health: a SWEET substudy
Authors' conclusion
S&SE-intake during a 10-month WM-phase following WL altered AT gene expression of lipolytic markers, without affecting adipocyte morphology and insulin sensitivity in adults with overweight/obesity.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with overweight/obesity during weight maintenance after a 2-month weight-loss phaseenrolled
- Participants
- 83 adults
- Comparison
- Healthy diet with S&SEs vs without S&SEs during weight maintenance (WM) after weight loss (WL)
- Primary endpoint
- Gene expression markers of adipose tissue (AT) function, adipocyte morphology and metabolic health
- Follow-up
- End of 10-month WM-phase
Methodological detailssubstudy
- Substudy
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
AT gene expression, adipocyte size and insulin sensitivity during WM · 10-month WM-phase
- No group differences in adipocyte size, expression of genes of adipogenesis/oxidative metabolism/inflammation, TAS1R3 and insulin sensitivity
- S&SEs vs Sugar: P = 0.041
- S&SEs vs Sugar: P = 0.036
Further findings
Weight regain · WM-phase · S&SEs tended to regain less weight
P = 0.050
Effects of WL (both groups) · after 2-month WL-phase
- Decreased adipocyte size and improved insulin sensitivity
- both P < 0.001
- Downregulation of CEBPɑ
- P = 0.004
- Downregulation of LPL and SREBF1
- both P < 0.001
- Downregulation of FASN and SCD
- both P < 0.001
- Downregulation of ATGL
- P < 0.001
- Downregulation of HSL
- P = 0.001
- Downregulation of leptin (LEP)
- P < 0.001
- Downregulation of CS (mitochondrial function)
- P = 0.048
Original publication
Long-term effect of sweeteners and sweetness enhancers on gene expression markers of adipose tissue function, adipocyte morphology, and metabolic health: a SWEET substudy. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 2 June 2026. doi:10.
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