In rats, consumption of black drinks, normal or light, increases corporal weight and anxiety

Abstract

The consumption of carbonated black beverages is associated with obesity due to their high concentration of sugar. In effect, the prevalence of obesity, especially in children, is increasing; therefore, studies of risk factors and prevention programs are relevant. In this sense, the objective of this pilot study was to identify, in an animal model, whether the consumption of normal and diet or light black carbonated beverages affects weight and anxious behaviors. Fifteen male Wistar rats were selected and divided into 3 groups: a first control group, which drank water exclusively; a second group which drank both water and a normal black carbonated beverage; a third group which drank both water and a light black carbonated beverage. Every two days their food and beverage consumption was measured, and every week all the subjects were weighed. After four weeks, behaviors related to anxiety were evaluated using the Elevated Plus Maze. Statistically significant differences were found, including the increase in body weight of the rats that consumed normal and light black beverages compared with the group that only consumed water. There was also a higher consumption of carbonated beverages, although the consumption of food remained very similar for all groups. Regarding the time spent in the closed arms, it was greater for the rats that consumed light drinks compared with the control group; and finally, that same group showed a lower number of head dips (dipping) in the maze. In conclusion, this preliminary study suggests that the consumption of normal and light black carbonated beverages is associated with an increase in the body weight of animals and an increase in anxiety.