ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD
LONG-TERM SIDE EFFECTS OF ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS
(ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: DOBLE-EDGED SWORD)
Artificial sweeteners are substitutes for sugar and are used to impart a sweet taste to foods and beverages without adding significant calories contained in normal sugar. These agents are widely used by people to cut down calorie intake and for weight management as part of their diet plan. A large number of artificial sweeteners are available in the market such as Saccharine (it was one of the older products but is obsolete), Aspartame, Sucralose, and Stevia. These agents are often advocated for reducing calorie count in overweight and obesity in diabetic patients or even without diabetes and as a fashion statement by calorie-conscious people.
However, it has been proven that instead of cutting back calories and helping in reducing weight, the use of these agents makes you eat more, end result is that you gain weight in long term and run the risk of obesity. Research findings have shown that Non-nutritive sweeteners or artificial sweeteners may have a negative effect on your metabolism. Gut Bacteria(GUT Biome )may get affected under the influence of Sugar substitutes. And appetite may increase especially if you consume them regularly over a long period. Such persons are exposed to a greater risk of developing high blood pressure and heart disease.
In a recent study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal(CMAJ), there was no consistent effect of artificial sweeteners on weight loss. Rather, long-term observational studies have shown a link between the consumption of artificial sweeteners and a relatively higher risk of weight gain, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems. The authors concluded that the results of the clinical trials did not support the intended benefits of using artificial sweeteners for weight management.
Therefore,we should be cautious before using artificial sweeteners in large amounts and for longer periods. We should not be swayed by sugar-free confectionery and diet coke advertisements.
