Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Diabetes and Obesity

Recent research has shown that artificial sweeteners can increase your risk of diabetes by “driv[ing] the development of glucose intolerance through induction of compositional and functional alterations to the intestinal microbiota.”[1] In other words, they disrupt the natural, healthy flora found in your intestines. As gluten intolerance becomes more and more prevalent in today’s society, it’s important to know exactly what it is: it’s a “condition in which your body loses its ability to cope with high amounts of sugar, and it’s a well-known precursor to type 2 diabetes.”[2] Not only is diabetes a concern with glucose intolerance; the excess sugar in your body ends up being stored in fat cells, which can lead to obesity.

How strange is it that the same recommendations you may receive from a doctor or may choose to implement on your own to be healthier can actually harm you? Did you believe that drinking diet soda or switching to diet foods would ultimately help you lose weight? Think again! According to Dr. Mercola, an alternative medicine proponent and physician, “those who switch to artificial sweeteners are typically carrying extra pounds and/or are diabetic. Most are unaware that this may be the absolute worst diet change they could implement.”[3] Artificial sweeteners that are used in low-calorie food or drink options actually stimulate appetite and cause cravings, promote insulin resistance (and diabetes) and even stimulate fat storage. That seems counter-productive, doesn’t it?

Think about it this way: for decades, research has shown a correlation between eating something sweet and craving carbs and an increase in hunger. Artificial sweeteners trick your mind into thinking that it’s going to receive calories through sugar, but in addition to this, the artificial kind alters your gut’s natural functions. In 2011, at the American Diabetes Association’s Scientific Sessions, epidemiologists showed data that demonstrated that “diet soft drink consumption is associated with increased waist circumference in humans, and a second study found aspartame raised fasting glucose (blood sugar) in diabetes-prone mice.”[4]

Now you’re probably wondering if there are any safe, healthy (or at least not health-threatening) alternatives to sugar. First, I recommend intermittent fasting, the many benefits of which I discussed in an earlier blog post. This can help you shake your sugar cravings—just be sure that you’re getting enough healthy fats (e.g. avocados, nuts, olives and olive oil, salmon, etc.). If you get those cravings under control but find yourself still wanting a bit of sweetener every so often, you can try Stevia (pictured below) or Luo Han Guo (pictured to the right). Both of these come from plants, so, as you can imagine, are not detrimental to your health like the other, chemical-based sweeteners.

 The more you know, the easier it is to make healthy decisions for your life, so educate yourself on various sweeteners and think twice before reaching for a diet soda or no-/low-calorie food, thinking you’re doing yourself a favor. The research has certainly been done to support the fact that you’re ultimately doing more harm than good with these falsely marketed products.

Working to restore GOD's perfect design in you!

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[1] Mercola. “Artificial Sweeteners Raise Your Risk of Diabetes by Altering Your Gut Microbiome.” October 1, 2014. From Articles.Mercola.com; Nature September 17, 2014 [Epub ahead of print]

[2] Mercola. “Artificial Sweeteners Raise Your Risk of Diabetes by Altering Your Gut Microbiome.” October 1, 2014. From Articles.Mercola.com.

[3] Id.

[4] UT Health Science Center San Antonio Press Release, June 27, 2011.