Drinking saccharin increases food intake and preference--I. Comparison with other drinks

To examine the orosensory and postingestive effects of saccharin solution on food intake and food preference, freely feeding rats were given flavored food to eat and a solution to drink for 2 h on eight to ten occasions. Relative to trials with a different flavored food and only water to drink, food intake was increased by drinking 0.2% saccharin or 0.45% NaCl, unaffected by drinking 1% almond extract, and decreased by drinking 10% glucose. Food preference, which was assessed in a choice test with simultaneous access to the two flavored foods, was increased by drinking 0.2% saccharin or 10% glucose and unaffected by drinking 1% almond extract or 0.45% NaCl. These results are consistent with the possibility that a combination of the oral and hydrational properties of saccharin solution increase food intake. Saccharin's sweet taste may be responsible for its effects on food preference.