If you’re reaching for that zero-calorie sweetener in hopes of keeping hunger (and pounds) at bay, science suggests it might not be doing you any favors.A new study published in Nature Metabolism (March 26, 2025) is causing quite a stir by suggesting that sucralose, the popular no-calorie sweetener found in Splenda, may actually increase your appetite rather than suppress it. This unexpected twist in the tale of sweeteners is sure to pique your interest.
The Study: What Researchers Discovered
Researchers recruited 75 adults of varying body weights—healthy, overweight, and obese—and had them participate in three sessions. At each session, they drank a beverage sweetened with either:
Sucralose (a sugar substitute)
Sucrose (table sugar)
Plain water
Before and after drinking, scientists used MRI scans to track activity in the hypothalamus—the brain’s command center for hunger and satiety. Participants also rated how hungry they felt.The results? Pretty revealing.
Sucralose and Hunger: A Surprising Connection
Across the board, people showed more blood flow in the hypothalamus after drinking the sucralose-sweetened beverage—more than with sugar or water. That increased activity suggests the brain was reacting as if the body hadn’t received enough nourishment, even though it had tasted something sweet.
In short, sucralose triggered a stronger hunger response.
But the effect wasn’t the same for everyone:
Healthy-weight individuals had the most noticeable increase in brain activity after sucralose compared to sugar or water.
Obese individuals also showed increased activity, but to both sucralose and sugar drinks.
Overweight individuals had no significant changes in hunger-related brain responses to any of the drinks.
What This Means for You
While zero-calorie sweeteners may seem like a guilt-free way to enjoy sweetness, this study raises an important question: Could they be tricking your brain into wanting more food?If you’re trying to manage your weight or reduce cravings, it may be worth rethinking your go-to sweeteners, especially if you notice they leave you feeling hungrier later.
Delicious Alternatives: Satisfying Sips Without the Sweeteners
The good news? You don’t have to give up flavorful drinks. There are plenty of naturally sweet, soothing, and refreshing options that don’t rely on added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Here are some healthy, crave-worthy ideas to try:
Warming Hot Drinks
Spiced chai with cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger
Decaf espresso with a splash of vanilla extract
Orange spice tea with orange rind, cinnamon, and a slice of orange
Hot almond milk latte with cocoa powder
Coffee with cardamom and cinnamon
Fresh mint, lemon, ginger, and fennel tea
Earl Grey steamed soy milk latte with vanilla
French roast with steamed milk, cinnamon, and 1 tsp peanut powder
Turmeric lemon tonic with warm water
Apple cinnamon herbal tea with real apple slices
Spearmint tea with frozen grated ginger
Refreshing Cold Drinks
Iced coffee with unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Strawberry lemon water
Sparkling water with cucumber, mint, and lime
Iced green tea steeped with fresh mint
Iced hibiscus tea with frozen berries
Iced ginger-mint infusion
Watermelon-mint water
Sparkling orange refresher
Iced herbal teas with a splash of lime sparkling water
Matcha soy iced latte with crushed raspberries
Final Thoughts
If you’re working toward better health or weight loss, swapping those zero-calorie sweeteners for flavorful, unsweetened beverages might just be the upgrade your body (and brain) need. This shift cannot only help you manage your weight but also ensure your body and brain are functioning at their best.Your taste buds—and your hypothalamus—will thank you.Dr. David Samadiis the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of two books, Prostate Cancer, Now What? A Practical Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery and The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.
