1. ¹Obesity Research Center, St Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
2. ²Division of Adult Nutrition, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Evansville, IN, USA

Correspondence: SB Heymsfield, Obesity Research Center, 1090 Amsterdam Avenue, 14th floor, New York, NY 10025, USA. E-mail: SBH2@Columbia.edu

Received 18 May 2003; Revised 9 August 2003; Accepted 5 September 2003.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of a sugar-only (SO) beverage vs one containing a mixed-nutrient (MN) composition on energy expenditure and feelings of hunger and satiety.

HYPOTHESIS: A beverage containing a mixed macronutrient composition will lead to greater thermic effect of food and feelings of fullness than an isocaloric beverage containing only sugar.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Adults were randomly assigned to receive a 2510 kJ (600 kcal) SO liquid formula followed by an isovolumic, isoenergetic, MN liquid formula with an energy distribution of 17% protein, 67% carbohydrates as sucrose and corn syrup solids, and 16% fat, or vice versa, in a crossover design. The carbohydrate source in the two beverages was identical: 1:1 ratio of sucrose and corn syrup solids (25 dextrose equivalents). The thermic response was calculated as the 7 h deviation from resting metabolic rate (RMR). Subjects provided hunger/satiety ratings and other related information by visual analog scales at regular intervals throughout the study period.

RESULTS: In all, 20 subjects completed the protocol; one was removed from the thermic effect analysis due to discrepant RMRs. Following beverage ingestion, SO and MN liquid meals produced 7 h thermic effects of (Xs.e.m.) 274.127.6 kJ (65.56.6 kcal) and 372.033.9 kJ (88.98.1 kcal), respectively, resulting in a significant (P<0.01) difference between meals (=97.935.1 kJ [23.48.4 kcal]). Analysis of satiety ratings using area under the curve analysis showed greater feelings of satiety (P<0.05) with MN compared to SO consumption. Also, subjects felt that they could eat less (P<0.05) after consumption of the MN vs SO beverage.

DISCUSSION: In comparison to MN beverages, SO beverages are associated with a relatively high-energy retention without accompanying subjective hunger/fullness compensations, suggesting a basis for their role in long-term unintentional weight gain in healthy adults.