Researchers asked a group of participants to remove it from their cuppa and found that their likeness for the drink didn't change. Cutting out sugar in one drastic step, or gradually reducing it over time, were both effective methods for consuming less sugar.
Health officials recommend no more than seven teaspoons of sugar per day, but the average Briton consumes almost double that, according to estimates.
The researchers, from University College London and the University of Leeds, said the switch to a sugarless tea could improve people's diet. aIn their study, they wrote: 'Reducing sugar in tea doesn't affect liking, suggesting long-term behaviour change is possible.
'Excess sugar intake is a public health problem and sugar in beverages contributes substantially to total intake.
'Reducing sugar intake from beverages may therefore help to reduce overall consumption.'
The findings, which have been peer-reviewed by conference officials, were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Glasgow. The authors said a bigger trial was needed to confirm the findings.
Added sugars shouldn't make up more than five per cent of the calorie intake people get from food and drink each day, according to guidelines by the NHS. This equates to about 30g of sugar a day, or seven teaspoons, for those aged 11 and over. But the average British adult is getting through almost double that at 57g, which is a concern amid rising obesity rates.
Adults drink an average of two to three cups of tea a day, according to a survey of 2,000 people, conducted by the charity Contact the Elderly.
