Artificial Sweeteners – All You Should Know About

White sugar is undoubtedly an unhealthy monster but is artificial sweetener the safer alternative?

Everybody wants a healthy life, a fit body and a beautiful face. Whenever a new trend hit the market, people are ready to plunge into it without even making an effort to analyse the actual truth of a claim. The big brands are using these marketing gimmicks to create strides, make publicity stunts and draw sales.

What is an artificial sweetener?

Basically, artificial sweetener is a sugar substitute that provides a sweet taste but contains significantly fewer calories, which makes them an attractive alternative who are looking forward to shedding some kilos.

Tantalising the taste buds with the sweet taste without compromising on calorie intake seems like a dream come true. But what’s the hidden cost of making this dream come true. Many critics and researchers have criticized the use of artificial sweeteners as their studies claimed it to be linked to several health hazards.

Why should you be extra cautious?

Artificial sweeteners are extremely new to the human diet and so it may confuse the body in many ways. The deceiving taste and composition of the artificial sweetener cause a befuddling impact on the hormones, enzymes and general metabolism of the body. Here are some of the top picked reports that ring an alarm of caution about the use of artificial sweeteners.

Not good for the taste buds

Artificial sweetener is many times sweeter than sugar. Exposing the taste buds to these high-intensity sweeteners makes them less receptive to natural sources of sweetness 

Effects the gut

The intense sweet taste of these sweeteners triggers a signal to the gut that something high calorie is on its way.  So, the gut secretes the enzymes accordingly to process the high-calorie food. But since artificial sweetener contains very less trace of calories and this conflict causes a cascading effect on the body.

Impacts Insulin secretion

As we taste sweet foods the body starts releasing insulin. Insulin leads to blood sugar spikes, which increase cravings which further increases the risk of Type – 2 diabetes. Artificial sweeteners also prevent the production of GLP-1, a hormone that controls blood sugar levels and feelings of satiety. 

May trigger potential health hazards

Knowingly or unknowingly artificial sweeteners are increasingly becoming a part of our diet. These sweeteners are widespread in food and drinks including diet soda, yogurt, sauces and dressings and baked goods. But regular or excess intake of these sweeteners is associated with cardiovascular disease events such as heart attacks and strokes, Type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

A few precautions to consider before lifting your pack of artificial sweetener

If you choose to opt for artificial sweeteners be extra cautious about the amounts you are feeding the body.

Artificial sweeteners are generally safe in limited quantities, but it has adverse effects when the quantity of consumption increases.

There are a plethora of these artificial sweeteners stacked up in the grocery, be wise to read the labels and make the best choice.