Diet drinks may not be healthier, new research suggests.
Artificial sweeteners, such as the controversial aspartame, are still linked to obesity and diabetes, a study found.
Previous research suggests zero-calorie sugar substitutes damage people’s blood vessels, increasing their risk of stroke and dementia.
Speaking of the current study’s findings, lead author Dr. Brian Hoffmann, from Marquette University, Milwaukee, said: ‘It is not as simple as “stop using artificial sweeteners” being the key to solving overall health outcomes related to diabetes and obesity.
‘As with other dietary components, I like to tell people moderation is the key if one finds it hard to completely cut something out of their diet.’
More than 29 million adults in the US and one in 17 in the UK have diabetes.
‘Both sugar and artificial sweeteners exhibit negative effects’
Speaking of the findings, Dr. Hoffmann said: ‘Both sugar and artificial sweeteners seem to exhibit negative effects linked to obesity and diabetes.
‘We observed that in moderation, your body has the machinery to handle sugar; it is when the system is overloaded over a long period of time that this machinery breaks down.
‘We also observed that replacing these sugars with non-caloric artificial sweeteners leads to negative changes in fat and energy metabolism.
‘If you chronically consume these foreign substances (as with sugar) the risk of negative health outcomes increases.’
Results further suggest the artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium accumulates in the blood, with high levels harming the cells that line vessels.
The researchers fed different groups of rats either glucose or fructose, which are both types of sugar, or artificial sweeteners aspartame or acesulfame potassium.
After three weeks, the rodents’ blood vessel linings were analyzed.
The findings will be presented at the American Physiological Society annual meeting in San Diego.
Blow out breakfast, ‘average’ lunch and small dinner is best for diabetes
This comes after research released last month suggested a blow out breakfast, ‘average’ lunch and small dinner may be the best combination for those suffering from diabetes or obesity.
Obese diabetes patients following such a diet lose 11lbs (5kg) over three months compared to a 3lb (1.4kg) weight gain for those eating the traditionally recommended weight-loss plan of six small meals a day, a study found.
Sticking to just three meals a day of varying sizes also reduces diabetics’ glucose levels and insulin requirements, as well as their hunger and carbohydrate cravings, the research adds.
Lead author Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz, from Tel Aviv University, said: ‘The hour of the day – when you eat and how frequently you eat – is more important than what you eat and how many calories you eat.
‘Our body metabolism changes throughout the day.
‘A slice of bread consumed at breakfast leads to a lower glucose response and is less fattening than an identical slice of bread consumed in the evening.’
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