3M-Brazzein as a Natural Sugar Substitute Attenuates Obesity, Metabolic Disorder, and Inflammation

Abstract

Obesity is a global chronic disease linked to various diseases. Increased consumption of added sugars, especially in beverages, is a key contributor to the obesity epidemic. It is essential to reduce or replace sugar intake with low-calorie sweeteners. Here, a natural sweet protein, 3M-brazzein, was investigated as a possible sugar substitute. Mice were exposed to 3M-brazzein or 10% sucrose of equivalent sweetness, in drinking water to mimic human obesity development over 15 weeks. Consumption of 3M-brazzein in liquid form did not cause adiposity hypertrophy, resulting in 33.1 +/- 0.4 g body weight and 0.90 +/- 0.2 mm fat accumulation, which were 35.9 +/- 0.7 g (p = 0.0094) and 1.53 +/- 0.067 mm (p = 0.0031), respectively, for sucrose supplement. Additionally, 3M-brazzein did not disrupt glucose homeostasis or affect insulin resistance and inflammation. Due to its naturally low-calorie content, 3M-brazzein could also be a potential sugar substitute that reduces adiposity.