Effect of Incorporating Natural Sweeteners in Jams on Appetite, Palatability and Consumers’ Acceptance

This study aims to assess the effect of partial substitution of sucrose by natural sweeteners strawberry low sugar jams on appetite, palatability and consumers’ acceptance. The study design was a randomized, single-blind, cross-over study. After overnight fasting, 14 recruited healthy subjects consumed low sugar jams containing no sweetener (control), stevia or fructose. Sensory hedonic attributes and appetite responses, including hunger, fullness, desire and satisfaction were determined. Partial substitution of sucrose by stevia or fructose did not impair jam palatability and consumers’ acceptance. Interestingly consumption of stevia jams significantly affected hunger and fullness compared to control and fructose. Thus stevia could not only be a natural food sweetener but also an appetite regulator.