Many people are trying to cut down on sugar. It’s not just because they want to lose weight, but also because they’re worried about their health. Many types of non-sugar sweeteners have been discovered in nature (for example, stevia), while others are produced synthetically. These substitute sweeteners have been found in common foods that get labeled as “sugar-free” or “diet”. The Washington Post warns that items such as “bread, yogurt, oatmeal, muffins, canned soups, salad dressings, condiments and snack bars” may contain substitute sugars. Why should we care?
Research surrounding substitute sugars is inconclusive in many aspects. People use them to avoid calories and lose weight. Others are trying to avoid negative health effects associated with heavily processed foods (ahem, added sugar) such as increased mortality.
Sugar substitutes are marketed as being healthier and better for weight loss than sugar. However, this is conflicting. Although some studies suggest they may help with weight loss, others indicate they reduce insulin sensitivity (which makes your body store fat more easily) and worsen sugar cravings. They may also decrease your sensitivity to “sweet” due to being hundreds of times sweeter than glucose.
Other health concerns have also been raised with sugar substitutes. Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) was linked to a higher risk of stroke in women who consumed at least one drink per day containing aspartame compared with those who never drank these beverages. This suggests that aspartame could be a risk factor for stroke when consumed frequently. Acesulfame potassium (Sunnett, Sweet One) and sucralose (Splenda) have also been linked to an elevated cardiovascular risk. Aspartame, Sucralose, Acesulfame
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is often used as a low-calorie sweetener. It has been shown to increase platelet reactivity in vitro and thrombosis formation in vivo. This supports other studies that indicate an increased risk of cardiovascular events and stroke with the consumption of these products.
In addition, some artificial sweeteners can cause digestive problems such as bloating and diarrhea. There are also concerns that artificial sweeteners may disrupt your gut microbiome if consumed regularly or over long periods of time.
The key to success here, as it so frequently is, is moderation. If you consume sugar substitutes in moderation- you are less likely to have a significant risk for these health problems. Do you use sugar substitutes in your diet? Talk to your primary care provider today about sugar intake and health alternatives.
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This article was originally posted at https://activehealth.godaddysites.com
