Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Obesity/Diabetes

RipperSB

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/artificial-sweeteners-linked-to-obesity-epidemic-scientists-say-1.2769196

This is interesting but the only sweetener mentioned was saccharin. Artificial sweeteners are not all Equal (see what I did there?).

Also, only half the human subjects showed the increase in blood sugar levels an a change in gut bacteria. Why only half?

Would love to see more research here, I feel a little silly eating right and exercising when all I had to do was cut out the Diet Coke!

Chrisparadise579

Yeah artificial sweeteners tend to lead to fat build up around or internal organs which is known as skinny fat. And while the diet and exercise is just as important I do have to say quiting articial sweeteners is one of the first steps I recommend to people trying to lose weight.

Koldnomore

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/artificial-sweeteners-linked-to-obesity-epidemic-scientists-say-1.2769196

This is interesting but the only sweetener mentioned was saccharin. Artificial sweeteners are not all Equal (see what I did there?).

Also, only half the human subjects showed the increase in blood sugar levels an a change in gut bacteria. Why only half?

Would love to see more research here, I feel a little silly eating right and exercising when all I had to do was cut out the Diet Coke!

I'd check this one too..it's alot more than JUST saccharin
http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/09/artificial-sweeteners-may-leave-their-users-glucose-intolerant/

ponycyndi

I'm diabetic. And at one point, I was obese. I've had to reduce processed sugars in my diet since I was a child, in order to better control my blood sugar. I chose to exchange table sugar for any and all available artificial sweeteners.

Long story short: Correlation /= Causation.

ninerbuff

Lol, most "articles" aren't evidence. IF artificial sweeteners are an actual CAUSE of diabetes and obesity, then why in the world would the ADA (American Diabetes Association) RECOMMEND them as an alternative to drink?

From diabetes.org:

What Can I Drink?

Food often takes center stage when it comes to diabetes. But don't forget that the beverages you drink can also have an effect on your weight and blood glucose!

We recommend choosing zero-calorie or very low-calorie drinks. This includes:

Water
Unsweetened teas
Coffee
Diet soda
Other low-calorie drinks and drink mixes

You can also try flavoring your water with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for a light, refreshing drink with some flavor. All of these drinks provide minimal calories and carbohydrate.
- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/what-can-i-drink.html?loc=ff-slabnav#sthash.X7LaDUze.dpuf

Research more. Peer reviewed clinical studies are best.

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ksy1969

Lol, most "articles" aren't evidence. IF artificial sweeteners are an actual CAUSE of diabetes and obesity, then why in the world would the ADA (American Diabetes Association) RECOMMEND them as an alternative to drink?

From diabetes.org:

What Can I Drink?

Food often takes center stage when it comes to diabetes. But don't forget that the beverages you drink can also have an effect on your weight and blood glucose!

We recommend choosing zero-calorie or very low-calorie drinks. This includes:

Water
Unsweetened teas
Coffee
Diet soda
Other low-calorie drinks and drink mixes

You can also try flavoring your water with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for a light, refreshing drink with some flavor. All of these drinks provide minimal calories and carbohydrate.
- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/what-can-i-drink.html?loc=ff-slabnav#sthash.X7LaDUze.dpuf

Research more. Peer reviewed clinical studies are best.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

/end thread

ninerbuff

Yeah artificial sweeteners tend to lead to fat build up around or internal organs which is known as skinny fat. And while the diet and exercise is just as important I do have to say quiting articial sweeteners is one of the first steps I recommend to people trying to lose weight.

Opinion doesn't hold up to the science though. Post a peer reviewed clinical study showing fat builds up around internal organs due to consumption of artificial sweeteners. I for one would love to see it. Not an article or blog, but an abstract from independent study.

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_Zardoz_

Yeah artificial sweeteners tend to lead to fat build up around or internal organs which is known as skinny fat. And while the diet and exercise is just as important I do have to say quiting articial sweeteners is one of the first steps I recommend to people trying to lose weight.

Errr one word 'Nonsense' and please show us some science to prove this

I'm not going to comment too much on the specific study as its' very limited and from the report the animal studies are limited as well as the human ones so in reality didn't show any thing significance just some interesting points that need some research


These studies as always seem to show a relationship not a causal link which are two totally different things. Its a bit like saying a lot of fat people watch the biggest loser therefore the biggest loser makes them fat. When in fact a lot of fat people just watch it because they are interested

So it's not really a surprise that a lot of over weight people eat artificial sweetners because hey they're trying to lose weight. It doesn't mean those sweeteners were the cause.

ninerbuff

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/artificial-sweeteners-linked-to-obesity-epidemic-scientists-say-1.2769196

This is interesting but the only sweetener mentioned was saccharin. Artificial sweeteners are not all Equal (see what I did there?).

Also, only half the human subjects showed the increase in blood sugar levels an a change in gut bacteria. Why only half?

Would love to see more research here, I feel a little silly eating right and exercising when all I had to do was cut out the Diet Coke!

I'd check this one too..it's alot more than JUST saccharin
http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/09/artificial-sweeteners-may-leave-their-users-glucose-intolerant/

From the article:

This also doesn't mean that these sweeteners are unadulterated evil. The human trials were extremely short and had a small population, so they will need a more thorough follow-up. Even then, it was clear that not everyone has the same response to artificial sweeteners. This shouldn't be a surprise. People have a far more varied microbiome than genetically identical lab mice raised in sterile conditions will, and that microbiome will interact with the different things that people eat as a normal part of their diets.

Making a conclusion on this matter with such a small sample would be incorrect.

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JustMeee333

In an article I read, they mentioned; Aspartame, Saccharine, and Sucralose. It also mentioned how they alter gut bacteria.
I think these were just examples and ALL artificial sweeteners should be taken into account.

Recently I have been doing a lot of research into the use of artificial sweetners, because I used to drink a lot of diet coke, but cut it out altogether, but just lately had started drinking a glass a day again, and I noticed that my sweet cravings were through the roof. A quick Google lead me to many articles, but I came across one that mentioned how they could trick the brain into actually craving sugar. Your body gets the sweet taste from sweeteners, but not the calories, thus confusing the body.

Made sense to me. So I cut that down and eventually out, and have to say that my cravings have virtually all but disappeared.

Lol, most "articles" aren't evidence. IF artificial sweeteners are an actual CAUSE of diabetes and obesity, then why in the world would the ADA (American Diabetes Association) RECOMMEND them as an alternative to drink?

They were probably basing it on the assumption you perhaps had the equivalent of a can or two a day, whereas some people would drink more nearer 20-30 cans a day. Plus, new reseach and knowledge comes practically everyday. They could withdraw that statement at any time. Also, they're basing it on blood glucose levels. Which obviously sweeteners wouldn't affect, this doesn't mean to say however that they don't have other consequences.

SnuggleSmacks

Keep in mind that this is one study, and the results were very mixed, not conclusive. The study has to be duplicated on a larger scale with more concrete results before we can take it as gospel, and most of the substances have been studied extensively in the past with similar studies and had very different results, so we might want to look at all the parameters and see if there was perhaps some other cause for these results.

Also,

Yeah artificial sweeteners tend to lead to fat build up around or internal organs which is known as skinny fat. And while the diet and exercise is just as important I do have to say quiting articial sweeteners is one of the first steps I recommend to people trying to lose weight.

lolwut? You really think that's what skinnyfat means? And you think that happens as the result of artificial sweeteners? Really? Source please?

ninerbuff

In an article I read, they mentioned; Aspartame, Saccharine, and Sucralose. It also mentioned how they alter gut bacteria.
I think these were just examples and ALL artificial sweeteners should be taken into account.

Recently I have been doing a lot of research into the use of artificial sweetners, because I used to drink a lot of diet coke, but cut it out altogether, but just lately had started drinking a glass a day again, and I noticed that my sweet cravings were through the roof. A quick Google lead me to many articles, but I came across one that mentioned how they could trick the brain into actually craving sugar. Your body gets the sweet taste from sweeteners, but not the calories, thus confusing the body.

Made sense to me. So I cut that down and eventually out, and have to say that my cravings have virtually all but disappeared.

Articles aren't evidence and neither are anecdotes. If you search the forums here, there are lots of thread with links that counter those articles with actual peer reviewed clinical studies.

They were probably basing it on the assumption you perhaps had the equivalent of a can or two a day, whereas some people would drink more nearer 20-30 cans a day. Plus, new reseach and knowledge comes practically everyday. They could withdraw that statement at any time. Also, they're basing it on blood glucose levels. Which obviously sweeteners wouldn't affect, this doesn't mean to say however that they don't have other consequences.

Lol, apartame is one of the most studied additives EVER. You'd be hard pressed to find any peer reviewed study stating what's already been solidified..............that it's safe to consume. And really, you don't think that the ADA wouldn't discourage something that would apparently cause MORE health issues even if it regulated blood glucose levels?
You're reaching here with what you THINK may be going on.

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JustMeee333

There was a time when they believed smoking was safe, also. :smokin:

Articles aren't evidence and neither are anecdotes. If you search the forums here, there are lots of thread with links that counter those articles with actual peer reviewed clinical studies

That's good, because I actually didn't use any. I'd just mentioned an article I had read that was similar to the one OP had mentioned, which was a study by the [/i]Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel[/i], However, my point was I had noticed the effect aspartame had on MY body, which may be more sensitive to it's effects than say for instance; Yours. Thus why I have chosen never to consume it again.

The effects I had ranged from a constant craving for sweet food, a very low mood, and a headache so bad that painkillers did not help at all, and also lasted for 4 days. So I really don't think I need any article or study to tell me that this stuff is bad news.

chrisdavey

Yeah artificial sweeteners tend to lead to fat build up around or internal organs which is known as skinny fat. And while the diet and exercise is just as important I do have to say quiting articial sweeteners is one of the first steps I recommend to people trying to lose weight.

<<<< my artificially sweetened abs say no

http://reason.com/blog/2014/09/18/artificial-sweetener-study-bogus-says-am

Woodspoon

Study group of 7 people
a very in depth and wide ranging study then.

Yeah I don't think I'll be paying any attention to that crap.

Cortelli

I think it is an interesting study primarily because it focused on gut bacteria colonies and their reactions to artificial sweeteners, but it is very preliminary. And it has been reported elsewhere - several news sites and general interest sites. This is the first time I've ever seen it linked to obesity / diabetes (unless that's your headline, OP) -- every other "report" of seen on the study published in the journal Nature has focused on unexpected rise in blood sugar levels; I haven't seen anywhere else taking these limited results and extrapolating to obesity or diabetes.

lemonsnowdrop

Yeah artificial sweeteners tend to lead to fat build up around or internal organs which is known as skinny fat. And while the diet and exercise is just as important I do have to say quiting articial sweeteners is one of the first steps I recommend to people trying to lose weight.

<<<< my artificially sweetened abs say no

http://reason.com/blog/2014/09/18/artificial-sweetener-study-bogus-says-am

I prefer cold hard proof like this over flimsy "studies" which are inconclusive and prove nothing.

SnuggleSmacks

I wish I could find the source, but I've seen previous studies in which aspartame was found to affect digestive flora. This isn't the first one...which is the only reason I'm inclined to at least give it the benefit of a doubt. I have a firm belief that our gut flora and fiber consumption will prove to be much more central to our health than previously suspected, and I'd like to do anything I can to protect mine, even erring on the side of caution.

I have a major diet soda habit, consuming at least 6-10 cans per day, and I'm considering giving them up to see if I notice any difference in digestion.

westcoastgrl21

Here ya go: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature13793.html

This is published in a respected scientific journal, and you can pay if you want to read full peer-reviewed study. This is new information, it was published in the last 2 days.

Lol, most "articles" aren't evidence. IF artificial sweeteners are an actual CAUSE of diabetes and obesity, then why in the world would the ADA (American Diabetes Association) RECOMMEND them as an alternative to drink?

From diabetes.org:

What Can I Drink?

Food often takes center stage when it comes to diabetes. But don't forget that the beverages you drink can also have an effect on your weight and blood glucose!

We recommend choosing zero-calorie or very low-calorie drinks. This includes:

Water
Unsweetened teas
Coffee
Diet soda
Other low-calorie drinks and drink mixes

You can also try flavoring your water with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice for a light, refreshing drink with some flavor. All of these drinks provide minimal calories and carbohydrate.
- See more at: http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/making-healthy-food-choices/what-can-i-drink.html?loc=ff-slabnav#sthash.X7LaDUze.dpuf

Research more. Peer reviewed clinical studies are best.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ColoradoGrl

While I certainly am not a proponent of artificial sweeteners in general, the study correlates with a change in gut bacteria and is really simply a correlation observed at this point. Three major things jump out at me:
1st. Many dietary changes can influence gut bacteria. Evidence the big push for conumption of probiotics, yogurt and similar.
2. There was no discussion about diet with these sweeteners. While drinking non-caloric beverages with artificial sweeteners unaccompanied by food could understandably cause an insulin surge (since the body senses "sweet" and is expecting a glucose load to follow), that effect is generally ameliorated if a balanced meal (low glycemic index) is consumed at the same time. It certainly may come into play with those drinking diet soft drinks all day long, but it is a big question mark whether any of this applies to consuming a small amount of artificial sweetener along with an otherwise healthy meal.
3. Were there subgroups among whom the change in gut bacteria was most evident/least evident? What were the predictors of these groups (e.g., diet or other correlating factors)

I generally stick to unsweetened tea, coffee and water. But, I certainly am not overly concerned about the splenda I add to an otherwise healthy and low glycemic index smoothie or similar as a meal. . But, yeah, i long ago realized that drinking artificially sweetened soft drinks and other beverages all day long were probably increasing a desire for "sweets" and possibly having a more direct effect on weight loss as a result.

Taiser

I can't say this study is inaccurate, it does need a lot more work and tests BUT... right now I'm leaning towards this being BS. I cut out pretty much all sugars and crap food, my intake sugars were replaced by Splenda, and I use a lot of it!!! From coffee to baking and even add a couple of tablespoons to my protein shakes.

I lost 65 lbs in three months when I got on my fitness binge and it will be 2 years and counting this Christmas with no weight gain (from fat, I've been gaining muscle mass though)!

So if this stuff makes you obese, then how did I lose the weight??? I was also (am) diabetic, but when I lost the weight I lost the diabetes. My A1c has been steady at about 4.9 for the last year and a half!!! Obviously I don't fit any of their "test" cases very well...

paperpudding

I dont think the article is bull.

I think it is an interesting starting point for further research - as they concluded themselves.

We now have a plethora of posters saying

a. it is true because artificial sweeteners did xyz bad effect on me

and

b. It cant be true because I consume x amount and I lost weight/had no ill effects.

Whereas in fact the article concluded that peoples response to this appears varied and this response does not appear in every tested individual

so personal anecdotes saying either a. or b. do not disprove or prove the study or contradict the study's findings.

Sabine_Stroehm

Here's another article. Not that it will matter here lol.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/study-suggests-sweeteners-could-contribute-to-obesity-and-diabetes/2014/09/17/c3c04ea6-3dc2-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html?Post+generic=?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost

WhatMeRunning

All I know (or care about) is that since I was diagnosed with glucose intolerance, and at that time being morbidly obese, a key factor in my dietary changes, and being able to maintain them, was the inclusion of artificial sweeteners (primarily aspartame/Equal in my case). I use it a lot. Daily.

I have not only lost a whole lot of weight (82 pounds now), but over my last few blood labs my blood sugars are perfectly healthy now.

So, whatever that study seems to indicate does not match the real life results I am experiencing.

For what it's worth. Artificial-Sweetener-Haters gonna hate.

cw106

I'm diabetic. And at one point, I was obese. I've had to reduce processed sugars in my diet since I was a child, in order to better control my blood sugar. I chose to exchange table sugar for any and all available artificial sweeteners.

Long story short: Correlation /= Causation.

ditto.
have gone from being morbidly obese to overweight on bmi scale.
likely to be proclaimed pre diabetic by doc next when hbac results in.
facts of life speak loudest.

ninerbuff

There was a time when they believed smoking was safe, also. :smokin:

Who is they? Peer reviewed evidence (which was available to the public world wide like it is now) was suppressed, but DIDN'T support what public view of smoking was. How do you think they were able to get the warning on packages?

That's good, because I actually didn't use any. I'd just mentioned an article I had read that was similar to the one OP had mentioned, which was a study by the [/i]Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel[/i], However, my point was I had noticed the effect aspartame had on MY body, which may be more sensitive to it's effects than say for instance; Yours. Thus why I have chosen never to consume it again.

Which is an anecdote. And please post the study if you have it. I'd like to see it.

The effects I had ranged from a constant craving for sweet food, a very low mood, and a headache so bad that painkillers did not help at all, and also lasted for 4 days. So I really don't think I need any article or study to tell me that this stuff is bad news.

It may or may not have been the reason. Those symptoms could have happened from a myriad of things. Dehydration, lack of sleep, etc. You're just assuming that it was from aspartame.

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ninerbuff

Here ya go: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature13793.html

This is published in a respected scientific journal, and you can pay if you want to read full peer-reviewed study. This is new information, it was published in the last 2 days.

Unfortunately, studies with mice never seem to equate that of a human. Also in many mice trials, the dosage used is quite high and not equivalent to what a human may ingest in a day.

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NinaSharp

Because one of their sponsors is Coca Cola?

Cortelli

Here's another article. Not that it will matter here lol.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/study-suggests-sweeteners-could-contribute-to-obesity-and-diabetes/2014/09/17/c3c04ea6-3dc2-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html?Post+generic=?tid=sm_twitter_washingtonpost

Another example of are sober "just the facts, ma'am" press. The hyperlink (written by some editor or web copywriter, I acknowledge) reads: "study-suggests-sweeteners-could-contribute-to-obesity-and-diabetes" -- perhaps this was the original headline? The article's current headline reads: "Artificial sweeteners could cause spikes in blood sugar." And the only reference to obesity and diabetes is the article's author's own musing that "While some past studies have found that the products pose no health risks and effectively help people cut calories and sugar intake, other research has suggested that certain artificial sweeteners might actually contribute to obesity and other problems, including cancer." That's not even a reference to the study being reported on! The researchers are pretty careful to comment only on what their preliminary research has shown.

Again, I think the study is pretty interesting and I think gut flora is a fascinating area for research, but I am also getting a kick by how several "health and science" correspondents and their editors read so much more into the findings.

Sabine_Stroehm

As I said: not that I assumed it meant anything.

I'm fascinated with gut flora as well. I've long believed that antibiotic affected my mood, and recent studies SUGGEST this is the case. These studies (I haven't read the research YET, but WILL), may SUGGEST that we're being rather naive about sweeteners. Time will tell. And it won't matter a lick.

scottacular

Another article to add to my long list of links to articles claiming that everything in the World causes obesity.

Just use this simple formula to inform yourself of the dangers next time:

[Food/drink product that you like] = obesity, diabetes, cancer, the black plague, aids, death, etc