Obesity is a worldwide health problem that kills more than 2 million people every year. Obese people often rely on "diet foods." Researchers have found that sweeteners found in foods contribute to the formation of fats.
Where was the study done?
Researchers at George Washington University have found that consuming dietary foods with sweeteners contributes to obesity. Doctors published the results of their study at the annual meeting of the Society of Endocrinologists.
Using diet foods with a sweetener, many people try to lose weight. However, doctors found that the sweetener in the human body stimulates the production of fat.
Diet foods are usually sugar free. Consumers hope to lose weight due to lower sucrose intake. However, the lack of sugar does not mean that dietary products will lead to a decrease in waist size. If a person often uses diet foods, the opposite effect may occur.
Artificial sweeteners lead to an increase in the number of fat cells.
The sweetener promotes the formation of fat in the human body by increasing the concentration of glucose. A recent study examined why a compound affects body weight. Two different studies have been devoted to this topic.
The first study showed that sucralose increases the concentration of glucose and inflammatory markers. The more sucralose the researchers added, the more fat formed. Therefore, artificial sweeteners directly contribute to the increase in fat cells in humans.
In a second study, scientists analyzed fat biopsy samples from 8 people who took low-calorie sweeteners. Then they compared these data with people who ate normal food.
In samples of people using sweeteners, scientists found that the changes were affecting the fat-producing genes. Experts add that people taking sweeteners had high glucose levels.
The effect of using a sweetener
The results are worrying. If excess glucose enters the cells, a real cascade of biochemical events begins. This can lead to heart disease, blindness, and kidney disease. In obese people, the consequences were especially disturbing.
Low-calorie sweeteners contribute to additional fat production, bringing more glucose to the cells. Excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners contributes to inflammation, which is especially harmful for overweight people.
Are sweeteners really good for weight loss?
Some earlier studies concluded that replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners can lead to weight loss. However, recent scientific studies show that sweeteners contribute to weight gain by impairing the regulation of blood sugar and altering bacteria.
Artificial sweeteners also contribute to headaches, allergies, epilepsy, and cancer. There is still no clear evidence that sweeteners can be harmful to humans.
An acceptable daily dose of aspartame is 40 mg. This means that a person can consume up to 40 milligrams of this sweetener per kilogram of body weight per day. With a body weight of 70 kilograms - this will be at least 2.8 grams. Do not exceed recommended dosages.
Avoiding Artificial Sweeteners
It is recommended to avoid the use of processed or artificial products that contain a high concentration of sweeteners. It is better to eat food with natural sugar to satisfy the desire. They contain vitamins, fiber, and other beneficial nutrients.
Instead of worrying about choosing between artificially sweetened or sugary drinks, it is recommended that you rely on water. Adequate fluid intake, exercise and a proper diet will help reduce body weight.
