Is it because such artificially sweetened foods can trigger cravings for more, or because people who consume diet soft drinks believe that the calories they’ve dodged provide them with the right to insist upon second helpings?
Do you remember when artificial sweeteners were considered a healthy alternative to that powdery villain, sugar? Well, those days appear to be over as low-calorie sweeteners are being increasingly linked to obesity, diabetes, and a slew of other health issues.
Although some medical studies suggest that consuming products with low-calorie sweeteners, instead of sugar, can promote weight loss, other research has determined that consuming these products may lead to weight gain. Go figure!
Is it because such artificially sweetened foods can trigger cravings for more, or because people who consume diet soft drinks believe that the calories they’ve dodged provide them with the right to insist upon second helpings?
Even worse is the potential damage artificial sweeteners might be doing to our children. The consumption of aspartame, sucralose and saccharin by children—has undergone close to a 200% increase from 1999 to 2012, new research suggests.
“Just 8.7 percent of kids reported consuming low-calorie sweeteners in 1999, and thirteen years later that number had risen to 25.1 percent,” said study author Allison Sylvetsky, of George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
“Kids aren’t alone in this trend. More adults also are taking in low-calorie sweeteners in diet soft drinks and in a variety of foods and snack items,” Sylvetsky, an assistant professor of exercise and nutrition sciences, said in a university news release.
Artificial sweeteners worry-free sugar substitute they pledge to be. food. Despite the promises of fewer calories, artificial sweeteners have been linked to obesity and diabetes. A new study noted that the body mass of a person who consumes low-calorie rose with body mass index; approximately 20% of adults with obesity consumed these sweeteners three times a day or more, compared to 13% of normal-weight adults. Here’s an even more disturbing fact: researchers in 2016 found that pregnant women who consumed more artificial sweeteners in beverages doubled their risk of having children that were overweight or obese at one year, compared to women who consumed less artificial sweeteners.
Some scientists believe the reason why people tend to gain weight when they habitually use these sweeteners because the sweeteners trigger a craving for more food. When consuming sweets, the brain’s receptors are activated and the body prepares for calories by releasing insulin, which breaks down sugar. But when there is a lack of sugar or calories to metabolize, the body may continue experience hunger cravings.
For overall health, Sylvetsky suggested a diet with plenty of fruits and veggies, whole grains and limited added sugars.
“Drink water instead of soda. Sweeten a serving of plain yogurt with a little fruit,” continued Sylvetsky. “And don’t forget an apple or another piece of fresh fruit is a great snack for both kids and adults.”
