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A Novel Procedure for Evaluating the Reinforcing Properties of Tastants in Laboratory Rats: Operant Intraoral Self-administration
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Nonnutritive sweeteners are not supernormal stimuli.

R G Antenucci1, J E Hayes1

  • 11] Sensory Evaluation Center, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA [2] Department of Food Science, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.

International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|June 20, 2014
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Summary

Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) are not supernormal stimuli, as they do not overstimulate sweet receptors. Perceived sweetness intensity of NNS was investigated in untrained participants, revealing no evidence of exaggerated responses compared to sugar.

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Area of Science:

  • Food science
  • Sensory science
  • Human physiology

Background:

  • Commonly, nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) are perceived as sweeter than sugar, implying they act as supernormal stimuli.
  • This perception suggests NNS might trigger exaggerated responses in taste receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the perceived sweetness intensity of various nutritive sweeteners and NNS.
  • To determine if NNS act as supernormal stimuli compared to sucrose.

Main Methods:

  • A large cohort of untrained participants (n=401) evaluated sweetness intensity.
  • The general labeled magnitude scale was used to rate sweet, bitter, and metallic sensations for sweeteners in water.

Main Results:

  • Sigmoidal dose-response functions were observed for most sweeteners, except AceK.
  • No evidence suggests NNS possess a maximal sweetness intensity greater than sucrose.
  • Maximal sweetness for AceK, RebA, and sucralose was lower than concentrated sucrose, potentially due to bitter/metallic taste suppression.

Conclusions:

  • Nonnutritive sweeteners (NNS) do not function as supernormal stimuli.
  • The study does not support the hypothesis that NNS hijack or overstimulate sweet receptors for elevated sweet sensations.