Craving for a box of chocolates, soda, or candy? It is hard to deal with a sweet tooth, especially for those with diabetes. That is why people use sweeteners in simple drinks to get the sweetness they crave.
Artificial sweeteners can help keep the cravings at bay and satisfy the need for a treat without overloading the body with sugar and carbs. Furthermore, these sweeteners are 100 times stronger than the typical sugar.
Therefore, we only need to use a little to get the sweet flavor we want. Plus, many people claim that artificial sweeteners do not affect blood sugar levels. Besides, they don’t contain any sugar. However, that doesn’t mean they are low on carbs.
So, read the label first before purchasing a certain product. Nevertheless, here is everything you need to know about artificial sweeteners.
What Are Artificial Sweeteners?
These sweeteners are synthetic chemicals. They prompt the sweet taste receptors to register the taste on the tongue. Furthermore, they contain no healthy nutrients or calories. Therefore, they give things a tasty sweet taste without adding any calories, a study shows.
As a result, many people use artificial sweeteners in meals that are often regarded as healthy or diet foods. In addition, they are popular in the industry. Many companies use them to give their products a good taste.
Consumables that contain these sweeteners are desserts, soft drinks, cakes, and microwave meals. There are other items such as toothpaste and chewing gum that also contain artificial sweeteners. Here is a list of some of the most used artificial sweeteners around the globe:
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Aspartame
- Neotame
- Saccharin
- Sucralose.
Artificial Sweeteners and Blood Sugar Levels
How do artificial sweeteners affect blood sugar and are they suitable for diabetics? Firstly, when those with diabetes consume carbohydrates, their blood sugar starts to rise. As a result, the body releases insulin to keep the blood sugar in check.
Well, some claim that artificial sweeteners have something to do with this process. They can interfere with it. Interfering with the process makes it more difficult for those with diabetes to control their condition.
Do Artificial Sweeteners Increase the Blood Sugar Level?
No, artificial sweeteners do not increase blood sugar levels in the short-term. Therefore, having diabetes doesn’t mean we should avoid consuming diet coke all the time. However, according to research, it may cause some changes in the gut bacteria.
As the research claims, mice who consumed artificial sweeteners for eleven weeks, had some negative changes in the gut bacteria which increased their blood sugar levels.
But, the researchers were able to completely reverse these negative effects and return the gut bacteria as it should be. However, it is important to point out that these results have not been replicated or tested on humans.
Therefore, more studies are necessary. But, there is one observational study that might help reveal the link between the changes to the gut bacteria and aspartame in the body. As a result, how artificial sweeteners may affect humans in the long-term is still unknown.
Artificial Sweeteners and Insulin Levels
Research on insulin levels and artificial sweeteners show mixed results. The effects may vary based on the type of artificial sweetener a person is consuming. Therefore, the evidence is inconclusive. It solely depends on the individual and how their body may react to the sweeteners.
Can Diabetics Use Artificial Sweeteners?
If used in the short-term, these sweeteners are safe for diabetics. However, it is important to point out that the effects of long-term consumption are still unknown.
Therefore, artificial sweeteners are safe, since they can’t raise their blood sugar levels. So, they are a better and safer alternative to sugar.
