Sugar substitutes may well be a bigger detriment to weight loss than we ever imagined. Have you ever wondered why there are so many diet foods and at the same time so many more over weight people in America? The people in this country we are heavier than ever.
There was an interesting report published in Behavioral Neuroscience comparing animals fed artificially sweetened yogurt over a two-week period compared with those animals fed yogurt flavored with a natural, high calorie sweetener, glucose. The animals eating the artificial sweetener consumed more calories and gained more weight, mostly in the form of fat.
One other interesting fact is that the core body temperature of the sugar-fed rats increased at mealtime, thus their metabolism revved up to burn off the food. The animals fed the artificial sweetener had no increase in their core temperature which resulted in a slower metabolism.
There was also a survey in 2005 by the Texas Health Science Center that found that for
every can of diet soda people drink there was a 41% increase in the risk of being overweight. One answer could come from a recent study which revealed even normal consumption of Splenda has an impact on your health. It can reduce the beneficial bacteria in the intestines by as much as 50%, lowering the ability for optimal nutrient absorption. It is also responsible for changing the pH level in the intestine and actually increasing body weight. All these symptoms lead to other complications such as impacting the absorption of some medicines or altering some of the normal processes in the body. The combination of lowered beneficial bacteria in the intestine coupled with antibiotics is a recipe for big trouble.

Botton line: Limit artificial sweetener as well as sugar consumption. However, if you have to choose a little sugar is a better choice.

Nancy M. Burns L.Ac.

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