Beverage Viscosity is Inversely Related to Postprandial Hunger in Humans

Mattes RD and Rothacker D. Physiology and Behavior. 2001;71:551-557.

Objective

To explore the association between beverage viscosity and satiety.

Methods

In this double-blind, crossover study, 84 obese adults (30 males, 54 females; mean age of 48 +/- 13 years, BMI of 30.4 +/- 6.5 kg/m2 ) ingested 325 ml (220 kcal) shakes that were matched for macronutrient content and vitamins and minerals (25-40% of the daily value of 21 vitamins and minerals) but varied in viscosity. Less than 0.1 gram of microcrystalline cellulose was added to one version of the shake to increase its viscosity. On test days, participants reported to the study site after an overnight fast at the time they usually consumed their first meal of the day. Ratings of hunger, desire to eat, and other appetitive sensations were self-reports, after which subjects received a thin and thick version of the shake in randomized order. Shakes were consumed chilled within 10 minutes. Hunger and appetitive sensations were tracked for the 4 hour after shake ingestion. Appetitive ratings and at hourly intervals over the subsequent 4 hours or until subject spontaneously choose to eat. A minimum of 24 hours separated each test session.

Results

Hunger ratings immediately prior to ingestion of the more and less viscous shakes when hunger was to be tracked for the 4 hour post-loading period were 6.54 +/- 0.20 and 6.38 +/- 0.22, respectively, and were not significantly different. Significantly greater and more prolonged reductions of hunger were observed after ingestion of the more viscous version shake and remained lower than baseline for a longer period of time.

Conclusion

Beverage viscosity independently contributes to reported hunger.

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