Artificial Sweeteners

Researchers at the University of Texas Science Center in San Antonio studied the relationship between artificial sweeteners (AS) and weight gain and obesity.  Their research showed that AS may be causing weight gain rather than fighting it.  Your body needs calories to feel satisfied and it likes the calories from sweet things.  Since AS have no calories and are 200 to thousands of times sweeter than sugar, your body will crave more high caloric foods to feel satisfied so you will eat more than you need.  All of these excess calories are stored in your body as fat.

Another study of 9,500 people showed that those who drank one can of diet soda a day had a 34% higher risk of metabolic syndrome (risk factors that can lead to heart disease and type 2 diabetes) than those who didn’t drink diet sodas.  The authors have called for more research on this relationship.

This is good food for thought if you are worried about weight issues, and I hope it leads you to further research the issue.  My next blog will be about energy drinks, sodas, and tooth decay.