The Sour Side of Artificial Sweeteners
More and more health conscience people are making the switch from sugar to artificial sweeteners. But, though eliminating sugar is undoubtedly a good health move, it is not so clear that replacing it with artificial sweeteners is. A large new Canadian study has uncovered the genuinely sour side to artificial sweeteners. . . .
This large systematic review and meta-analysis put together the data from 30 studies that followed 405,907 people with 7 controlled studies of 1,003 people. The results were not good. In the controlled studies, artificial sweeteners did not have any significant benefit for body mass index (BMI). In the 30 studies that followed people for an average of 10 years, artificial sweeteners actually led to an increase in BMI. That is, food and drinks marketed for weight loss led to greater weight gain.
And while the controlled studies found no effect on other health measures—positive or negative—the studies that followed people found that artificial sweeteners are associated with increases in weight, waist circumference, obesity and—get this—high blood pressure, cardiovascular events, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
This study provides evidence that artificial sweeteners do not provide their intended benefits, according to controlled studies, and, worse, that, according to studies that follow people long term, they may actually increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
This research may also explain why people who switch to artificially sweetened soft drinks actually disturbingly increase their risk of weight gain and glucose intolerance and receive no benefit over regular soft drinks for heart disease, kidney disease or osteoporosis.
CMAJ 2017;189(28):E929-39
For the latest research to keep your family healthy, get The Natural Path delivered to your inbox each month: Subscribe!
For much more diabetes and heart health, see our book The Family Naturopathic Encyclopedia.
For more on healthy eating for heart and blood sugar, see Linda’s newest book, The All-New Vegetarian Passport: a comprehensive health book and cookbook all in one.
The Natural Path is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For health problems, consult a qualified health practitioner for a comprehensive program.
>people who switch to artificially sweetened soft drinks actually disturbingly increase their risk of weight gain and glucose intolerance and receive no benefit over regular soft drinks for heart disease, kidney disease or osteoporosis.
CMAJ 2017;189(28):E929-39
For the latest research to keep your family healthy, get The Natural Path delivered to your inbox each month: Subscribe!
For much more diabetes and heart health, see our book The Family Naturopathic Encyclopedia.
For more on healthy eating for heart and blood sugar, see Linda’s newest book, The All-New Vegetarian Passport: a comprehensive health book and cookbook all in one.
The Natural Path is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For health problems, consult a qualified health practitioner for a comprehensive program.