A recent study suggests that artificial sweeteners may interfere with the brain’s ability to link sweet tastes with calories, potentially increasing cravings and leading to weight gain, despite their calorie-free nature.
Here’s the lowdown on artificial sweeteners and how they mess with your diet, especially if you’re trying to ditch sugar – straight from a new study!
This study, published in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience, found that artificial sweeteners, those calorie-free options, actually mess with the brain’s connection between sweet taste and calories. And guess what? That can lead to increased cravings. Ugh!
Details of the Study
So, in this study, conducted by the American Physiological Society in collaboration with other researchers, scientists gave rats either artificial sweeteners for a broader range of tastes or glucose (which your body prefers like natural sugar), to two groups of rats.
After five days, the rats that got the artificial sweeteners upped their calorie intake significantly, eating about 88 grams worth of food, while the glucose group only ate around 72 grams. That’s a pretty big difference, almost 20% more!
Artificial sweeteners are super common, and their popularity is only growing. In the United States alone, over 160 million people are reaching for them in everything from soda and flavored waters to a ton of other “diet” products. Compared to about half that number two decades ago, that’s a HUGE increase.
Professor Lynn M. Stéfani from the University of Minnesota, who wasn’t involved in the study, says this research offers a potential explanation for what other studies have shown between sweeteners and weight gain.
“The researchers are raising important points. If diet products actually are blunting the predictive relationship between sweetness and caloric value, such that the products ultimately cause people to eat more, then obviously they are not serving their intended purpose,” she adds. “This research raises the possibility that artificial sweeteners may contribute to weight gain.”
Stefani herself is researching this topic. She’s found that diet products may increase a person’s tolerance for sweet foods, which could lead to cravings and overeating later on.
According to one nutrition specialist, this study may come across as concerning to many people: “This is very important to know because it makes us understand that artificial sweeteners can cause weight gain,” as she says. And this thought may be the one we should adopt, and we should try to benefit from it as much as possible.
Important Facts to Know About Artificial Sweeteners
But hold up! The experts aren’t totally convinced just yet: “I’ve certainly heard about these results from prior studies looking at diet products and demonstrating similar findings. It will be interesting for us to understand better exactly how artificial sweeteners work in the body and the metabolic effect. Also, we have to understand exactly how sugar works.”
“Artificial sweeteners are a complex and controversial topic. The reality is that companies will continue to feature the diet in their ads.”
“From my own personal experience, it’s not very common for patients to tell me that artificial sweeteners aren’t helping them lose weight. However, the perception is there. Some people blame artificial sweeteners for increasing their appetite.”
“However, people should say that it is preferable for them to consume sugar, because it is more natural. But this is not an option for diet products.”
Testimonials
I’ve been using artificial sweeteners for years, thinking I was doing myself a favor. But after reading this, I’m rethinking everything! I always felt like something was off, like my sugar cravings were actually getting worse. Maybe there’s something to this whole brain connection thing after all. I’m going to try cutting back and see if it makes a difference.
FAQ
Are artificial sweeteners safe? They are generally considered safe by regulatory agencies, but some people experience side effects.
Do artificial sweeteners help with weight loss? Some studies suggest they can, while others show a potential link to weight gain due to disrupted brain-calorie associations.
Should I stop using artificial sweeteners? It depends on your individual needs and goals. If you’re concerned about potential side effects, consider reducing your intake or consulting with a healthcare professional.
