HIDDEN HAZARD IN ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS!
POPULAR artificial sweeteners should be consumed with caution because they may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes and other life-threatening conditions, experts warn.
Scientists from Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science and Maryland’s Johns Hopkins University enlisted 120 volunteers, who were each given either a placebo or one of four sweeteners at amounts lower than the recommended limits up to three times a week for 14 days.
Study participants wore glucose monitors throughout the trial to track how the sweeteners affected their blood sugar levels and also underwent glucose tolerance tests.
In addition, stool samples were also taken from participants to analyze the sweeteners’ impact on intestinal bacteria.
The researchers discovered folks who used the substitutes saccharin and sucralose showed signs their body’s cells were less able to absorb sugar and had an altered gut microbiome. The individuals who consumed aspartame and stevia — which are found in many commercially prepared diet drinks and lowcal desserts — also displayed microbiome changes.
Imbalance of normal intestinal microbiota has been previous linked to diabetes, obesity and gastrointestinal conditions.
Dr. Eran Elinav, the microbiologist who led the recent study, says the trial suggests non-nutritive sweeteners may impair glucose responses by altering the gut microbiome.
He adds, “We should not assume artificial sweeteners are safe until proven otherwise. Until then, caution is advised.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently determined established studies have demonstrated the “possibility” artificial sweeteners increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mortality.
But WHO experts stress further research is needed to confirm a definitive link.