Have you ever been told that artificial sweeteners are a better option than regular cane sugar?

Have you been adding artificial sweeteners to your coffee, tea, and just about anything you would sweeten?

If so, you are not alone. It’s been long thought that anyone with diabetes or really anyone who is looking to cut back on sugar should use artificial sweeteners.

Research is now looking into the safety of these sweeteners and what they have found is shocking.

Before we dive into that, let’s talk about what artificial sweeteners are.

What are Artificial Sweeteners?

Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sweeteners, used in place of sugar. These sweeteners are often much sweeter than regular sugar, and they are lower in calories. They become mainstream and the most common way for people to avoid sugar. They can be used in baked goods, beverages, or just about any other recipe you would traditionally use sugar.

This is appealing to those with diabetes because it cuts your calorie intake and is not thought to spike your blood sugar like regular sugar. The question is, what else is it doing to your health?

The Downside of Artificial Sweeteners

While these sweeteners may sound like a great option for those with diabetes, that may not be the case at all.

Studies have recently found that the commonly used artificial sweetener aspartame may lead to weight gain instead of weight loss. This is a shock for many people because for so long this sweetener was deemed as the “diet” option as it’s commonly found in diet soda. Aspartame has also been shown to negatively affect blood sugar levels as well as insulin sensitivity. This is the last thing you want when you are trying to manage your diabetes.

An even more surprising study published in 2007 in the Journal Diabetes Care found that aspartame proved to cause a similar rise in glucose as well as insulin as sucrose. This goes to show you that artificial sweeteners may in fact not help manage blood sugar levels after all.

The Other Dangers of Artificial Sweeteners

Unfortunately, there is more bad news about these sweeteners. Many of these artificial options come with many other health repercussions.

Aspartame, in particular, has been found to trigger certain chronic illnesses or make them worse. Examples include brain tumors, chronic fatigue syndrome, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and yes, diabetes!

That’s right, this artificial sweetener that many people with diabetes have been consuming for years may be making diabetes worse.

The take-home message here is to be cautious with artificial sweeteners. Not only may they not be any better than regular sugar, but the health risks associated with them are also pretty scary.

It may be best to steer clear of these sweetener options and opt for a more natural way to sweeten your food. Fresh fruit is an excellent choice and even stevia as it’s naturally sourced. Opting for natural options is always a safer option for both your diabetes management and your overall health.

References