Evaluating Sugar-Free Alternatives to Sweetened Beverages in Post-Surgery Care

The consumption of high-sugar beverages during postoperative recovery has raised concerns about their potential negative impacts on the patients' health, including disturbance in wound healing and metabolic interferences. This study explored sugar-free beverage alternatives as healthier options for postsurgical patients. This was achieved by developing two sugar-free formulations: a coconut mocktail and a lavender lemonade, using alternative sweeteners such as Stevia and Acesulfame-K. A double-blind, randomized controlled test with six participants compared these alternatives in terms of taste and overall preference. Results indicated no significant differences in sweetness, taste, or overall flavor between sugar-free and sugar-sweetened beverages, suggesting sugar-free options can meet patient preferences without showing much distinction in sensory characteristics. 66.7% of participants preferred the sugar-free lavender lemonade, showing its potential as an acceptable alternative. These findings suggest the feasibility of integrating sugar-free beverages into postoperative care, advocating better health outcomes by reducing calorie intake and avoiding increased blood glucose. The study recommends promoting sugar-free options in clinical settings. Future research with expanded sample sizes is needed to explore diverse demographics, and explore long-term physiological outcomes.