As we all know, our grocery store shelves are packed with products claiming to be ‘fat free’ or ‘reduced calories’, or ‘low fat.’ There has been a lot of controversy over whether these artificial sweetners really have the best interest of your body in mind. Sweetners such as: aspartame, saccharine, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium are used to ACT as a sugar or sweetener in your body. People use them to lower their calories and aid in weight loss.

While these substances do save you calories, the truth is that anything with the label ‘diet’ is nowhere close to being healthy for you and can easily be just as bad for you, if not worse than the sugar or corn syrup you are trying to avoid.

How does your body react on a physiological level to the diet colas and other products?

Recent research performed at the Duke University in North Carolina has reported controversial findings in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health after discovering that the sweetner, sucralose (or Splenda) could be ineffective for those trying to lose weight.

How this was discovered? The Experiment: Rats were fed different doses of Splenda over 12 weeks and found that they put on more weight than a control group not exposed to the sweetner. These results were also found with the sweetner, Saccharin.

Why does the body react this way? Researcher Susan Swithers says that, “artificial sweetners confuse the body.” She explains that when the “tongue senses something sweet it sends a signal to the brain to prepare the digestive system for a caloric load. However, the problem is that with the intake of artificial sweetners (foreign substance), the expectations prove to be false. This results in the body developing appetite problems and a more sluggish metabolism.”

You are getting a signal to the brain to say that you will be getting all of these calories, yet they are not there! Therefore, you will become more hungry. When you do eat, these calories will be stored as fat because your metabolism has slowed down. This happens because your body does not know when it will get a sufficient amount of calories next.

Weight gain is not the only side effect of consuming artificial sweeteners. The chemicals are also linked to gastro-intestinal problems, chronic headaches, high insulin levels, and potential cancer risks.

BOTTOM LINE…If you are trying to lose weight, what can you do?

1. Wean yourself off of the taste of sweetners altogether. I used to have a teaspoon of sugar in my coffee everyday. Slowly I cut back to a ¼ tsp. and then 1/8 tsp., to realize I could do without. I do not even notice it now.

2. Opt for naturally sweet foods such as fresh fruit, honey, and organic maple syrup. They all provide some nutrients and antioxidants so you are not just consuming empty calories.

3. Cut back on saturated fat and excess calories in general.

4. Increase your physical activity. Simply go for a walk everyday. This is one of the best forms of exercise. You will not only burn calories, but lubricate your joints, and clear your mind.

Cheers to health,

Angie
ISSA – C.P.T., B.Ed.

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