Sugar substitutes under scrutiny: could they harm blood sugar control?
NCT ID NCT05441982
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at whether two common artificial sweeteners, saccharin and acesulfame potassium, affect blood sugar control in older adults with prediabetes. Researchers will monitor 30 participants over 8 weeks using continuous glucose monitors and oral glucose tolerance tests. The goal is to understand if these sweeteners might worsen prediabetes, which could help guide dietary recommendations.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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30 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2023
- Expected to finish
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Nov 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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40 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 40+ years * Prediabetic (fasting glucose concentration of 100-125 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test glucose concentration of 140-199 mg/dL, or a HbA1c value of 5.7% to 6.4%) * Weight stable for previous 6 months (±2 kg) * BMI \<40 kg/m2 * Sedentary to recreationally active * No plans to gain/lose weight or change physical activity level * Willing to pick up food daily and consume foods provided for an 8-week period * Verbal and written informed consent * Approval by Medical Director * Consume less than one serving of non-nutritive sweetener per week Exclusion Criteria: * BMI \>40 kg/m2 * Diabetes or diabetes medication * Antibiotic, prebiotic or prebiotic use in prior 3 months * Uncontrolled hypertension (blood pressure (BP) \> 159/99 mmHg) * Diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease * Past or current heart diseases, stroke, respiratory disease, endocrine or metabolic disease, or hematological-oncological disease * Vegetarian or vegan * Pregnant or plans to become pregnant * Breastfeeding * Food allergies or aversions, Phenylketonuria (PKU) * Estrogen or testosterone usage
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061, United States
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