Polydextrose results in a dose-dependent reduction in ad libitum energy intake at a subsequent test meal

Previous studies have reported that polydextrose can reduce food intake; however, the optimal dose required to achieve this effect is currently unknown. The present study investigated the effects of consuming a range of doses of polydextrose on appetite and energy intake (EI) using a randomised within-subject, cross-over design. For this purpose, twenty-one participants (n 12 men, n 9 women) consumed an 837 kJ liquid preload containing 0 g (control), 6.3, 12.5 or 25 g polydextrose. Subjective appetite ratings were collected using visual analogue scales and an ad libitum test meal was served 90 min later. Participants recorded EI for the remainder of the day in a food diary. Test meal EI following the control preload (5756 (SEM 423) kJ) was significantly higher than following the 6.3 g (5048 (SEM 384) kJ), 12.5 g (4722 (SEM 384) kJ) and 25 g (4362 (SEM 316) kJ) preloads (P < 0.05), and EI following the 6.3 g preload was significantly higher than following the 25 g preload (P < 0.01). There were no differences in self-reported EI during the remainder of the day between the preloads containing the varying doses of polydextrose. Total EI (breakfast + preload + ad libitum test meal + remainder of the day) was significantly higher when the control preload was consumed (12 051 (SEM 805) kJ) compared with either the 12.5 g (10 854 (SEM 589) kJ) or 25 g (10 658 (SEM 506) kJ) preload (P < 0.05). These differences in EI were not accompanied by corresponding differences in subjective appetite ratings. In summary, polydextrose effectively reduces subsequent EI in a dose-dependent manner.