Artificial sweeteners like aspartame are the allies of people seeking a sweet taste in the midst of a strict diet. But these products are not safe; several studies have shown that they can increase the risk of diabetes, affect intestinal flora or disrupt metabolism. Explications!
Sweetening means softening, sweeteners are products that will come to sweeten a food, they are derived from chemical changes. Acesulfame-potassium, aspartame, saccharine, sucralose and more are all artificial sweeteners harmful to health. The studies therefore multiply and prove the real link of these chemical components with obesity, diabetes and several other diseases.
Studies show that artificial sweeteners increase the risk of diabetes!
Researchers from Laval University in Quebec have researched 10 patients with type II diabetes. These people participated in 60-minute training sessions, which took place either on an empty stomach or two hours after consuming a dish rich in artificial sweeteners. The meal systematically caused a rise in blood glucose, followed by a rapid decline coinciding with the start of the exercise.
Researchers did not think that sweeteners would cause a reaction like sugar, however they found that the brain reacts to a meal containing aspartame as if it were sugar.
One study also linked artificial sweeteners to obesity, confirming some scientists' claims that obese people are more prone to high blood sugar.
Artificial sweeteners in soda cans can increase the risk of inflammation and fat production:
Sucralose is a harmful artificial sweetener that can promote the accumulation of fat in the tissues and impair metabolic function. In a study, scientists tested sucralose on stem cells from human fat, which resulted in an increase in genes related to inflammation and fat production. Dr. Sabyasachi Sen, a lead author of the study, says the process may be more damaging for obese people and the medical community should be concerned about it.
Artificial sweeteners affect the intestinal flora:
According to a study, artificial sweeteners affect the production of glucose by altering the intestinal flora. An Israeli study aimed to feed the mice with artificial sweeteners for 11 weeks until they showed the first signs of glucose intolerance. After further examination, the scientists concluded that this glucose intolerance had occurred due to the alteration of intestinal bacteria in the mice.
Diet drinks can be even worse than soda:
One of the biggest problems with artificial sweeteners is that their taste does not match their caloric content. A recent study conducted at Yale University showed that the imbalance in the consumption of artificially sweetened products can disrupt your metabolism.
When the calorie content matches the sweet taste of the drink, the brain is satisfied. However, in case of disparity, the brain is disrupted, which can lead to odd cravings and an increased risk of obesity and diabetes. When we eat something sweet, the brain releases dopamine, a hormone that satisfies us. It also releases leptin, a hormone that regulates our desire to eat and informs the brain when we are full. However, artificial sweeteners disrupt this connection and cause the body to think that it will receive calories when it does not. This leads to irresistible cravings and inevitable weight gain.
A Yale cardiologist talks about artificial sweeteners:
Dr. Harlan Krumholz is a renowned cardiologist who recently wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal about the dangers of soft drinks. He considers them very dangerous for their high content of artificial sweeteners.
Change your eating habits and you will see your health improve!
Due to their addictive nature, artificial sweeteners and dietary drinks are not easy to eliminate. However, there are natural alternatives like stevia and lemon water that can stop your cravings and prevent your blood sugar from skyrocketing.