The Effect of Sugar Type on Blood Glucose Levels and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Experimental Animals

Abstract

While the adverse effects of refined sugars on metabolic health have been widely investigated, data on the metabolic impact of certain natural and artificial sweeteners remain limited. This study aimed to compare the metabolic responses to the consumption of stevia sugar and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) relative to a standard diet in rats by assessing key metabolic indicators, including weight gain, food intake, feed conversion efficiency, blood glucose levels, and plasma lipid profiles. The results showed that rats fed a stevia-supplemented diet exhibited the lowest weight gain compared to the control group, with a statistically significant difference, whereas the HFCS-fed group demonstrated a significantly higher weight gain than the control. In terms of food consumption, the stevia group recorded the lowest intake, while the HFCS group had the highest intake among all experimental groups. The feed conversion efficiency was highest in the HFCS group, indicating greater efficiency in converting food intake into body weight gain compared to the control, whereas the stevia-fed group had significantly lower feed conversion efficiency, suggesting reduced efficiency in weight gain. Furthermore, HFCS consumption led to a significant increase in plasma glucose levels, whereas stevia consumption resulted in a significant reduction in plasma glucose compared to the control. Regarding lipid profile, stevia consumption did not cause significant alterations in total cholesterol or triglyceride levels, but it led to a significant reduction in these parameters compared to HFCS consumption. Conversely, HFCS consumption significantly elevated total cholesterol and triglycerides, accompanied by a notable decrease in HDL and a significant increase in LDL and VLDL compared to the control, highlighting its detrimental effects on lipid metabolism.