The findings raise questions about public health advice that encourages people to reduce sweet-tasting foods as a way to combat overweight and obesity. The sweet taste in the foods came from several sources, including sugar, naturally occurring sweetness, and low-calorie sweeteners. This distinction matters because foods can taste sweet for very different nutritional reasons. Participants also tended to return on their own to their previous levels of sweet food consumption after the study ended. "It's not about eating less sweet food to reduce obesity levels," Professor Appleton said.