In the world of nutrition, sugar is a trendy subject. Cutting back on calories will help you lose weight and improve your health. One way to do this is to use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.
Some argue, however, that artificial sweeteners aren’t as “metabolically inert” as previously believed. It’s been claimed, for example, that they can increase blood sugar and insulin levels. The science behind these arguments is examined in this article.
Artificial Sweeteners, What is it!
Synthetic chemicals that activate the sweet taste buds on the tongue are known as artificial sweeteners. They are sometimes referred to as low-calorie or – anti sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners add a sweet taste to foods without adding calories.
As a result, they are often applied to foods, which are often marketed as “natural foods” or dietary foods. They can be used in a variety of products, ranging from diet soft drinks and desserts to microwave meals and cakes. They can also be used in non-food products like chewing gum and toothpaste.
Here’s The List Of Popular Artificial Sweeteners:
- Aspartame
- Saccharin
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Neotame
- Sucralose
What Leads To High Blood Sugar & Insulin?
Our blood sugar levels are kept constant by strictly regulated mechanisms. When we consume carbohydrate-rich foods, our blood sugar levels rise. Carbohydrate-rich foods include potatoes, pizza, pasta, desserts, and sweets. Carbohydrates are broken down into sugar and ingested into the bloodstream until they are digested, causing a rise in blood sugar levels.
Our bodies release insulin as our blood sugar levels increase. Insulin is a hormone that functions as a key. It encourages blood sugar to reach our bodies, where it can be used for energy or collected as fat. However, before any sugar reaches the bloodstream, small quantities of insulin are released. Cephalic phase insulin release is the term given to this reaction. It’s triggered by food’s appearance, aroma, and taste, as well as chewing and swallowing.
When blood sugar levels drop down, our livers remove sugar from storage to get them back to normal. When we fast for a long time, such as overnight, as a result.
Artificial Sweeteners Can Interfere With This System In The Following Ways:
Artificial sweeteners cause a slight increase in insulin levels due to their sweet taste, which causes cephalic phase insulin release.
Our gut bacteria balance is altered as a result of regular use. Our cells may become immune to the insulin we generate as a result, leading to higher blood sugar and insulin levels
Artificial Sweeteners: Do They Boost Blood Sugar!
In the short term, artificial sweeteners would not increase the blood sugar levels. As a result, a can of diet coke, for example, would not produce a spike in blood sugar. However, Israeli researchers made headlines in 2014 when they tied artificial sweeteners to upgrades in gut bacteria.
When mice were given artificial sweeteners for 11 weeks, their gut bacteria changed, leading blood sugar levels to rise. When they injected the bacteria from these mice into germ-free mice, their blood sugar levels increased as well.
Surprisingly, the scientists were able to reverse the rise in blood sugar levels by restoring natural gut bacteria. However, these findings have not been tested or repeated in humans. Just one human observational analysis has indicated a correlation between aspartame and changes in gut bacteria. As a result, the long-term effects of chemical sweeteners in humans remain unexplained.
Although this has not been confirmed that artificial sweeteners may increase blood sugar levels by negatively influencing gut bacteria. you can also read about: Diabetes care tips to get through the covid-19 pandemic
