Sucrose and polysaccharide induced obesity in the rat

Adult male rats were fed, in addition to chow and water, solutions (32%) of either sucrose, Polycose (a bland-tasting polysaccharide), or Polycose sweetened with 0.2% saccharin. The solutions were available for two 30-day periods when the rats were 90-120, and 180-210 days of age. A control group received only chow and water during these periods. During the second 30-day test the Polycose and Saccharin- Polycose groups were hyperphagic and gained as much excess weight as did the Sucrose group. The sucrose-fed rats, however, did not overeat relative to the control animals. Adding saccharin to the Polycose failed to increase total caloric intake or weight gain, but did increase Polycose intake and percent carbohydrate intake. The intakes of both Polycose solutions were greater than that of the sucrose solution, although in brief two-bottle preference tests the sucrose solution was preferred over the Polycose and saccharin- Polycose solutions. A similar pattern of results was obtained during the first test period, but the group differences were less pronounced. The findings demonstrate that carbohydrate-induced obesity is not unique to sweet-tasting sugars, but can also be produced by bland-tasting polysaccharides. Sweet taste does increase polysaccharide preference and intake, however.