TABLE 3.

Findings from Key Studies of the Effects of LNCS on Weight Management

Weight Management Study	Study Design/Population	Findings
Laviada-Molina et al., 2020 (36)	• Systematic review of 20 RCTs • Normal-weight and overweight/obese children and adults • n = 2,914	• Participants consuming LNCS showed significant weight/BMI differences favoring LNCS compared with nonusers. • Participants with overweight/obesity showed significant favorable weight/BMI differences with LNCS. • These findings indicate that replacing added sugars with LNCS leads to weight reduction, an effect that is particularly evident in adults, subjects with overweight/obesity, and those following a specified or restricted eating plan.
Peters et al., 2016 (37)	• 1-year RCT (12 weeks weight loss, 9 months maintenance) • Overweight/obese adults • n = 303	• At 1 year, use of LNCS beverages was associated with greater weight loss than with water (−6.21 ± 7.65 vs. −2.45 ± 5.59 kg, P <0.001). • Beverages with LNCS were superior to water for weight loss and weight maintenance in a population consisting of regular users of beverages with LNCS who either (based on study group) maintained or discontinued consumption of these beverages and consumed water during a 1-year structured weight loss program with 12 weeks for weight loss and 9 months of follow-up.
Piernas et al., 2013 (38)	• Subanalysis from Tate et al. (39) study (see below) • Overweight/obese adults • n = 210	• Micronutrient composition changed in both intervention groups (water and beverages containing LNCS). The water group showed increased grain intake at 3 months and a greater increase in fruit/vegetable intake at 6 months (both P <0.05). The group drinking beverages with LNCS showed greater reductions in intake of desserts at 6 months (P <0.5). • Participants in both intervention groups showed positive changes in energy intake and dietary patterns.
Tate et al., 2012 (39)	• 6-month RCT • Overweight/obese adults • n = 318	• Significant reduction in weight and waist circumference and improvement in systolic blood pressure were observed from 0 to 6 months. • No significant differences in weight loss were observed between participants who consumed beverages containing LNCS vs. water (−2.5 ± 0.45 vs. −2.03 ± 0.40%, respectively). • Replacement of caloric beverages with noncaloric beverages as a weight loss strategy resulted in average weight losses of 2–2.5%.