Adding a reward increases the reinforcing value of fruit

Abstract

1Adolescents' snack choices could be altered by increasing the reinforcing value (RV), of 2 healthy snacks compared to unhealthy snacks. This study assessed whether the RV of fruit 3 increased by linking it to a reward and if this increased RV was comparable to the RV of 4 unhealthy snacks alone. Moderation effects of sex, hunger, zBMI and sensitivity to reward were 5 also explored. The RV of snacks was assessed in a sample of 165 adolescents (15.1±1.5 years, 6 39.4% boys and 17.4% overweight) using a computerized food reinforcement task. Adolescents

Lasting effects of low-calorie sweeteners on glucose regulation, sugar intake, and memory

“…Children are the highest sugar consumers of any age group with approximately 16% of total calories coming from added sugar, nearly 40% of which comes from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) (1). Studies in humans and rodent models reveal that excessive early life sugar consumption negatively impacts glucose metabolism (2,3), sensory/reward processing (4,5), the gut microbiome (6,7), and neurocognitive abilities (8)(9)(10)(11). To combat these adverse effects, children, like adults, are consuming more foods and beverages that contain low calorie sweeteners (LCS) in lieu of sugar (12,13).…”