ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS MAY AFFECT METABOLISM

The Diabetes Care Journal published a study investigating the affect of artificial sweeteners on insulin and blood sugar levels. Researchers examined 17 non-diabetic obese individuals to see their response to sucralose (found in Splenda) before glucose intake. They found that after sucralose intake, blood sugar levels and insulin levels were 20% higher than when drinking water. Even though artificial sweeteners do not contain calories, the receptors on the tongue detect the sweeteners and the body reacts as if there is food intake and releases hormones, such as insulin. Constantly high levels of insulin may lead to type 2 diabetes. The take home message is to be careful when choosing artificial sweetener and to remember that zero calories does not mean zero affect on the body.