2.3. Design 
This study used an unblinded 3-group (Sugar, Diet, and Water) parallel design involving block randomisation for sets of 3 participants, such that we attempted to match the groups on BMI and baseline intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. For each week of the 12-week intervention, participants in the Sugar group received 4.5 L of sugar-sweetened beverages (as 12 × 375 mL cans); the Diet group received 4.5 L of artificially-sweetened beverages (as 12 × 375 mL cans); and the Water group received 4.5 L bottled water (as 9 × 500 mL bottles). Sugar and Diet group participants could select from a range of commercially available carbonated beverages. The sweeteners in the diet drinks included aspartame, acesulfame-K, and sucralose. All participants were asked to abstain from sweetened drinks beyond those provided; participants in the Sugar and Diet groups were instructed to consume no more than 3 cans per day. Adherence was assessed at weekly drink collections via a brief compliance questionnaire. There were no further dietary restrictions.