The Effects of Saccharin on the Sucrose Consumption of Rats

Abstract

The effect of saccharin intake on the consumption of sucrose was investigated. Groups of rats were offered various combinations of rat stock diet, stock diet + 0.25% Na-saccharin, granulated sucrose, sucrose in water and saccharin in water. Fluid consumption was increased when a saccharin solution was available and was doubled when both a sucrose and saccharin solution were available simultaneously. While a solution of sucrose markedly depressed the intake of granulated sucrose, a saccharin solution had no such effect. It was concluded that saccharin when given in solution or supplemented to food had no significant effect on the ad libitum intake of sucrose in a free-choice situation. Weight gain and total energy intake were not affected by the availability of sucrose and/or saccharin.