Artificial Sweeteners: Good or Bad for Blood Sugar?
Artificial Sweeteners & Blood Sugar
Huberman spoke of his own experience, moving away from Diet Coke and reducing sucralose use.
He’s become interested due to animal studies that suggest these sweeteners could harm our gut microbiome—an area we’re still exploring.
Norton offered a wider lens. He underlined the importance of what these sweeteners replace. When we swap sugary drinks with those containing non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) like stevia or aspartame, there are benefits.
Norton cited research showing these substitutes can be better than water in improving health markers due to their subtle appetite-suppressing effect.
The pair then tackled the science behind these sweeteners. Non-nutritive sweeteners are complex due to diverse molecular structures. Aspartame, for example, doesn’t impact blood sugar or insulin. Aspartame and stevia are generally safe, while saccharin and sucralose’s effects are less clear.
They mentioned a study suggesting artificial sweeteners could raise blood sugar, but the study was imperfect and needs more research.
For those struggling with obesity, the weight loss benefits from artificial sweeteners can be substantial. But for the lean and fit, they are simply another tool in the diet kit, without major health concerns.
They wrapped up acknowledging how our taste buds can adapt. Diets rich in sweet or salty tastes might dull our senses, and switching to less intense flavors might require an adjustment period.
Norton highlighted the practicality of artificial sweeteners for cutting calories and supporting weight loss, suggesting they can be a useful part of the diet for many.
Artificial Sweeteners & Gut Microbiome, Sucralose, Blood Sugar
Previous looks into artificial sweeteners gave us mixed signals. Some said “no biggie,” but these quick glances might’ve missed a time factor.
A fresh ten-week gaze spotted changes in the gut’s microbe mix after chowing down on sucralose.
Dr. Norton flagged something cool here: a bacteria type linked to less body fat and more insulin savvy popped up. So, could it be that some sweet fakes do our guts a solid?
But hold up. When it comes to blood sugar, things got tricky. A blip in the data screamed “sugar spike,” but overall, it looked like sucralose didn’t stir the pot much for blood glucose.
Then we slip into the world of research roulette. If studies flash effects, they catch eyes and get printed, leaving us with a skewed picture. It’s like having only the winners take the stage.
Huberman chimes in. He’s not ditching his aspartame or Stevia stash and might even give a nod to sucralose again, thanks to these new nuggets of knowledge.
Enter another study, fresh from the oven. A picky two-week sprint with a cherry-picked squad, 120 strong, from a heap of 1,400 hopefuls.
Folks who rarely touched artificial sweeteners got the spotlight. The aim? To see the effects without past influences, but there’s that twist—could their beliefs play tricks on the outcomes?
Dive in, and you’ll see it’s not just humans but also critters, plus a detailed food log analysis. Yet, we can’t miss the potential hiccups: no blindfolds in this game and self-made sugar tests.
Dr. Norton’s waving a flag of caution. Let’s not go nuts over short-term teasers. With artificial sweeteners, it’s a mixed bag. They might even lend a hand in the weight-watching game.
As the curtain falls, Huberman and Norton agree: We’ve got to keep digging. What’s the long game of these sweet pretenders?
One study’s intriguing, but it’s not the whole shebang. Each person should whip up their diet with a side of overall health and lifestyle.
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