Sugar ingestion patterns
This study aims to understand how drinking sugary drinks, either quickly or slowly, affects the fats in your blood called triglycerides. High triglycerides can increase the risk of heart problems over time. We want to see if the speed of sugar consumption changes how your body handles sugar and fats. Healthy adults aged 18-65 will take part in three separate study days, spaced about a month apart. On each day, you'll drink a sugary drink quickly, slowly, or just water. We'll take blood and breath samples to see the effects. This research helps us learn more about how sugar impacts your health.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When we eat or drink sugary foods, it can affect how our body deals with fats. One type of fat in our blood, called triglycerides, often goes up after we've had something to eat or drink. If these triglyceride levels stay high over a long time, they could potentially increase our risk of health issues like heart disease. Interestingly, when we have a lot of sugar, especially if we have it very quickly, our body might turn some of that sugar into these blood fats.
This study wants to find out if drinking sugary drinks quickly (all at once) or slowly (in smaller sips over time) makes a difference to these triglyceride levels in the short term. We also want to understand more generally how healthy adults process and use sugar and fat from their diet. The goal is to get a clearer picture of how our sugar choices might impact our body's chemistry.
By taking part, you'll be helping scientists gather important information. This knowledge could one day help us give better advice on how to manage sugar intake for better health. It's all about understanding our bodies better and making informed choices.
Key takeaways
- The study explores how fast sugar consumption impacts blood fats.
- It involves healthy adults drinking sugary drinks at different speeds.
- Participants attend three study days, each about a month apart.
- Blood, breath, and stool samples will be collected.
- You might receive personal health information, but no direct health benefit is guaranteed.
- Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time.
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you need to be a healthy man or woman between 18 and 65 years old. Your Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a measure of your weight in relation to your height, should be within the normal or overweight range (between 18.5 and 29.9).
You won't be able to take part if you've had a recent big change in your weight, have diabetes, or have allergies to certain foods that we'd use in the study. Also, if you have specific conditions where your body doesn't handle sugar well, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, the study isn't suitable for you. We also can't include people with heart problems or those taking medicines that affect fat or sugar in the body.
Because part of the study involves a meal with animal products, people following a vegan diet won't be able to participate. We also can't include you if you've recently taken part in another study that might affect your body's processes or if you've donated a lot of blood recently. You also need to be able to speak English.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
- Is your weight in a healthy to overweight range (BMI 18.5-29.9)?
- Do you have diabetes or any heart conditions?
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Do you have any severe allergies to common foods?
- Have you had a major weight change (over 5kg) in the last 6 months?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you will be involved for about three to four months in total. You will attend three separate main study days, each typically a month apart. On each of these days, you'll be at the University of Bath laboratory for around 6-7 hours. During these visits, you'll either drink a large sugary drink quickly, the same amount of sugar slowly, or just water. You'll also eat a standard meal and we'll take blood and breath samples while you relax.
Hang on, there's a bit more! Before each of these main study days, you'll have a shorter visit to give a small blood sample and receive a special type of water, sometimes called 'heavy water'. This heavy water isn't harmful but it helps our researchers track how your body turns sugar into fats. You'll also be asked to collect some stool (poo) samples at home, which helps us understand how sugar is processed in your gut. Your participation is completely voluntary, and you can stop at any time.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (2)
- University of BathApproximateBath, England
- University of BristolApproximateBristol, England
Common questions
What is the main goal of this study?
The study's main goal is to see if drinking sugary drinks quickly or slowly changes how your blood fat levels (triglycerides) are affected.
Who can join the study?
Healthy men and women aged 18-65 with a normal to overweight BMI can join. Certain medical conditions or allergies would prevent you from taking part.
What does 'crossover study' mean?
It means you'll try all three different conditions (drinking sugar quickly, slowly, or water) on separate study days, spaced out over time, usually a month apart.
Will I get my test results?
Yes, you may receive personalised information about your body composition and some blood test results.
Is 'heavy water' dangerous?
No, 'heavy water' is a special type of water that is safe to drink and helps researchers track certain processes in your body. It has a very low risk of mild dizziness.
How to find out more
Benedita Deslandes
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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