European Journal of Nutrition · Oct 31, 2026

Glucose and insulin responses to monk fruit-based sweetener formulations and their effects on appetite, liking and wanting, and energy intake (GREEN): a randomized double-blind, crossover study

By Aisara J, Takuathung MN, Yaja K et al.

Purpose Monk fruit-based sweetener formulations (MF1–MF3), composed of natural ingredients including fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and designed to achieve equisweetness, represent a new generation of alternative sweeteners. This study aimed to determine the acute effects of MF1–MF3 compared with sucrose and sucralose in healthy adults on glycemic and insulinemic responses, appetite regulation, liking and wanting, energy intake, and safety. Methods This randomized, double-blind, crossover study was conducted in 30 participants with five test sessions, each involving consumption of a sweetened beverage followed by a standardized meal. Plasma glucose and serum insulin were measured over 180 min and analyzed using linear mixed-effects models (LMMs). Incremental area under the curve (iAUC) was calculated for preload, postprandial, and overall phases as primary outcomes. Appetite, liking and wanting, energy intake, and adverse events were assessed as secondary outcomes. Results Preload glycemic and insulinemic responses to MF1-MF3 and sucralose were significantly lower than those to sucrose, whereas postprandial responses were comparable across all sweeteners. Overall glucose and insulin iAUCs were lower for MF1-MF3. The insulin to glucose iAUC ratio was significantly lower for MF1-MF3 and sucralose at preload and postprandial phase. Appetite responses and energy intake did not differ among sweeteners, although MF1 had lower liking and wanting scores. Adverse events were mild, with diarrhea occurring more frequently with MF1-MF3. Conclusion MF1-MF3 exert neutral effects on glycemic and insulinemic responses without adversely affecting appetite or energy intake, supporting their potential use as alternative sweeteners in food and beverage applications. Trial registration This study was prospectively registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20250512007) on 29 April 2025.

doi.org/10.1007/s00394-026-04142-0PubMed 42965678Interventions