Abstract: The present disclosure relates to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods comprising (i) obtaining a baseline chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI image of a patient, (ii) administering an effective amount of a non-nutritive sweetener to the patient, and (iii) obtaining one or more test CEST MRI image of the patient subsequent to the administering step (ii); wherein the step (i) and (iii) acquisition parameters are substantially the same. The non-nutritive sweetener may include a natural or artificial sugar alcohol, polyol, or combinations or derivatives thereof.