Gain of Body Fat and Intake of Energy in Rats with Low Dose of Caloric and Non-Caloric Sweeteners Used in Reformulation Beverage in Mexico

In Mexico and worldwide, the increased prevalence of both weight gain and obesity is associated with the consumption of sugary drinks. Mexico implemented a tax of one peso per liter on sugary drinks in 2014, and in response, the industry reformulated these beverages; however, the health effects are relatively unknown. Male and female Wistar rats consumed caloric sweeteners (CS: dextrose, saccharose, and HFCS at 7%) and non-caloric sweeteners (NCS: sucralose and stevia at 0.3%) for 16 weeks to determine the impact on metabolic and adiposity indicators. The weight, food intake (AIN93M diet), and beverage intake of the rats were recorded weekly. At the end of the treatment, the gonadal (GAT), mesenteric (MAT), and retroperitoneal (RAT) adipose tissue were dissected, and serum metabolic indicators were quantified. No differences were observed in weight gain, but there were higher beverage and energy intake, mainly in female rats. All groups with CS and NCS increased 2.0–2.4 or 1.3–1.9 times their intake of beverages, respectively, compared to the control groups (<i>p</i> < 0.01). With dextrose intake, male rats showed a significantly greater amount (mg/g body weight) of GAT (3.7 ± 0.6 vs. 2.3 ± 0.3), MAT (2.8 ± 0.8 vs. 1.7 ± 0.3), and RAT (4.6 ± 0.6 vs. 2.7 ± 0.2) in the stevia group, <i>p</i> < 0.05. Additionally, male rats in both CS and NCS groups presented elevated triglyceride concentrations (mg/dL), and the dextrose (299.7 ± 62.3) and sucralose (352.4 ± 36.2) groups registered the highest means, compared to the control group (122.3 ± 51.2, <i>p</i> < 0.05). The consumption of CS and NCS of beverages has effects on the volume ingested, as well as metabolic and adiposity indicators; therefore, they should not be considered innocuous.