Influence of an intervention targeting a reduction in sugary beverage intake on the δ13C sugar intake biomarker in a predominantly obese, health-disparate sample.

Objective Controversy exists surrounding the health effects of added sugar (AS) and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intakes, primarily due to a reliance on self-reported dietary intake. The purpose of the current investigation was to determine if a 6-month intervention targeting reduced SSB intake would impact δ 13 C AS intake biomarker values. Design A randomized controlled intervention trial. At baseline and at 6 months, participants underwent assessments of anthropometrics and dietary intake. Fasting fingerstick blood samples were obtained and analysed for δ 13 C value using natural abundance stable isotope MS. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, correlational analyses and multilevel mixed-effects linear regression analysis using an intention-to-treat approach. Setting Rural Southwest Virginia, USA. Subjects Adults aged ≥18 years who consumed ≥200 kcal SSB/d (≥837 kJ/d) were randomly assigned to either the intervention ( n 155) or a matched-contact group ( n 146). Participants (mean age 42·1 ( sd 13·4) years) were primarily female and overweight (21·5 %) or obese (57·0 %). Results A significant group by time difference in δ 13 C value was detected ( P sd ) δ 13 C value decreasing in the intervention group (pre: −18·92 (0·65) ‰, post: −18·97 (0·65) ‰) and no change in the comparison group (pre: −18·94 (0·72) ‰, post: −18·92 (0·73) ‰). Significant group differences in weight and BMI change were also detected. Changes in biomarker δ 13 C values were consistent with changes in self-reported AS and SSB intakes. Conclusions The δ 13 C sugar intake biomarker assessed using fingerstick blood samples shows promise as an objective indicator of AS and SSB intakes which could be feasibly included in community-based research trials.