Food preservative may influence appetite, tiny study hints

NCT ID NCT07437430

Recruiting now Knowledge-focused Sponsor: McMaster University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tests whether a single dose of potassium sorbate, a common food preservative, changes how much people with obesity eat over 24 hours. Twenty adults will receive either the preservative or a placebo, then switch after a break. The main goal is to see if the study methods work, not to prove any effect on weight.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: potassium sorbate (a common food preservative)
What this could lead to: If this pilot shows that potassium sorbate affects how much people eat, it could point toward a need for larger studies on food additives and weight gain.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study with only 20 people, testing a single dose. It is designed to see if the study methods work, not to prove any effect on weight. Results may not apply to real-world eating habits.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for OBESITY (DISORDER) are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Obesity obesity disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

OBESITY (DISORDER)

Contacts and locations

Locations

McMaster University Medical Centre
RECRUITING

Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.