Sweet Tooth Preferences Unchanged by Diet, Study Finds

A large randomized controlled trial has found that eating more or fewer sweet-tasting foods does not alter people’s preference for sweetness, nor does it affect body weight or energy intake. The study, conducted at Wageningen University and presented at NUTRITION 2025, tracked 180 adults over six months. Participants were assigned diets with high, low, or moderate levels of sweet foods, delivered every two weeks, while ensuring balanced nutrient composition.

Sweet items included jam, chocolate, sweetened dairy, and soft drinks, while non-sweet options ranged from cheese and ham to sparkling water. Researchers measured sweetness preferences before, during, and after the intervention, with follow-ups one and four months later.

Findings showed that preferences for sweet taste remained stable regardless of dietary exposure. Energy intake, weight, and metabolic health markers also showed no significant differences. The study challenges the idea that avoiding or consuming sweet foods reshapes long-term taste preferences.

16-08-2025