Diet and Artificial Sweeteners - A Path to Diabetes?

Non-nutritive artificial sweeteners are commonly used to flavor low calorie drinks and food. These not only include synthetics like saccharin and aspartame, but also naturally occurring substances such as Stevia and sucralose.

None of these products are "natural" in our diet. Recent research has shown that their use actually increases our appetite, causes weight gain, and also can result in diabetes by impairing regulation of glucose (sugar) and insulin.

The study found that one of the ways this happens is by altering the bacteria (microbiota) in the intestines to the pattern commonly found in obesity.

Still, these products find their way into many many foods, including low-calorie yogurt

, certain exercise supplements (HEED by Hammer Nutrition) and many exercise electrolyte additives (from GU to Hammer products).

I have contacted Hammer Nutrition and GU and they say these are added for taste enhancement. Although the amount is small, I make sure I avoid them! Read the ingredients and stay away from these products - that is my advice!