Tag

Artificial Sweeteners

All articles tagged with #artificial sweeteners

health2 days ago•2 min saved

Splenda and Health: What We Actually Know About Sucralose

Sucralose (Splenda) is a calorie-free sweetener about 600 times sweeter than sugar, approved by the FDA in 1998 and generally considered safe; it can help reduce calories and manage diabetes, but animal studies have raised concerns about gut health and metabolism, while human studies are inconsistent and short, so evidence isn’t conclusive. If unsure, you can swap for alternatives like stevia or monk fruit, but overall moderation and personal tolerance should guide use.

via USA Today|

#artificial-sweeteners #fda-safety #gut-microbiome

health4 days ago•3 min saved

Artificial sweeteners may accelerate brain aging, study finds

A Brazilian study of 12,772 adults over about eight years found that higher intake of low- and no-calorie sweeteners is associated with faster cognitive decline, especially in people under 60 and those with diabetes. Six sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin, Acesulfame K, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol) were linked to greater decline, while tagatose showed no association. The study is observational and relies on self-reported diets, so it cannot prove causation; more research is needed to confirm findings and explore alternatives to artificial sweeteners.

via USA Today|

#artificial-sweeteners #brain-aging #cognitive-decline

health4 days ago•5 min saved

Artificial Sweeteners May Speed Up Cognitive Aging, Large Brazilian Study Finds

A Brazilian study of nearly 13,000 adults over eight years found that higher intake of six common artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol) was linked to faster cognitive decline; tagatose showed no such effect. The highest consumers declined about 62% faster than the lowest, roughly equating to 1.6 extra years of aging, with stronger effects in adults under 60 and those with diabetes. The study is observational and relies on self-reported intake, so it shows associations, not causation.

via New York Post|

#artificial-sweeteners #brain-aging #cognitive-decline

health7 days ago•4 min saved

Zero-calorie sweeteners tied to faster brain aging in adults

A Brazilian study of 12,772 adults followed for about eight years found that higher consumption of seven low- or no-calorie sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, and tagatose) was associated with faster declines in overall cognition and memory, especially in people under 60 and those with diabetes; the strongest link showed about 62% faster decline (roughly 1.6 extra years of aging) for the highest vs lowest intake, with six sweeteners linked and tagatose not; the study shows association, not causation, and relies on self-reported data, so more research is needed and alternatives like unprocessed sweeteners may be worth considering.

via ScienceDaily|

#aging #artificial-sweeteners #brain-health

health18 days ago•1 min saved

Sweeteners May Have Hidden Metabolic Costs, New Analysis Finds

A review of 21 randomized trials links artificial and low-calorie sweeteners to higher fasting insulin and HbA1c, with a possible reduction in insulin sensitivity; gut microbiome changes may be involved, and higher consumption could relate to greater cardiometabolic risk, though causality isn’t proven. While avoiding large amounts of added sugar is prudent, replacing sugar with these sweeteners may be better than sugar, but not risk-free.

via U.S. News & World Report|

#artificial-sweeteners #gut-microbiome #hba1c

science2 months ago•7 min saved

Diet labels might reshape taste by tricking the brain, study finds

A neuropsychology study found that when people expect sugar, artificially sweetened drinks feel more pleasant and trigger stronger reward-area brain activity, suggesting labeling like “diet” or “low-calorie” can shape taste experience beyond the actual flavor. The research used a small, healthy sample and varied cues about sugar versus sweetener, highlighting the potential impact of expectations on eating and indicating a need for larger studies to confirm broader implications.

via Fox News|

#artificial-sweeteners #diet-labels #neuroscience

health3 months ago•17 min saved

Do Artificial Sweeteners Live Up to Their Health Promises?

Experts caution that artificial sweeteners may not be the risk-free fix they’re marketed as: animal studies link some sweeteners to changes in the gut microbiome and metabolism, while human data show mixed effects on weight, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk; regulators deem them safe within established intake limits, but they should not replace healthy, real-food choices.

via Gizmodo|

#artificial-sweeteners #cardiovascular-disease #diabetes-risk

health3 months ago•263 min saved

Diet Soda Daily: What Dietitians Say Happens to Your Body

Drinking diet soda daily can cut calories when it replaces regular soda and won’t spike blood sugar, but it offers little nutritional value. Artificial sweeteners may influence cravings and gut microbiome, with mixed, not definitive, evidence about long-term health effects. For most people, one can a day is generally fine, but it isn’t a hydrating beverage and caffeine can affect sleep for some. The better approach is to prioritize water or unsweetened drinks and consider what diet soda is replacing in your overall diet.

via AOL.com|

#artificial-sweeteners #caffeine #diet-soda

health3 months ago•9 min saved

Sweeteners May Shape Metabolism Across Generations, Mouse Study Finds

A Frontiers in Nutrition study in mice suggests that feeding sucralose or stevia to one generation can trigger changes in metabolism-related genes and gut bacteria that persist in their offspring even when later generations consume no sweeteners, with stronger effects seen for sucralose and some male offspring showing impaired glucose regulation; though the results are not directly transferable to humans, researchers urge further study and moderation, while an industry group says safety remains unchanged.

via Fox News|

#artificial-sweeteners #gut-microbiome #health

health3 months ago•11 min saved

Diet Soda Dilemma: How Much Is Safe Before Risks Rise?

Diet soda may be calorie-free, but drinking multiple cans daily can raise risks for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke due to artificial sweeteners’ effects on insulin response and gut bacteria. Experts say there’s no “healthy” sweetener, and some sweeteners can alter glucose metabolism or trigger inflammation; cravings and appetite may also increase as the brain anticipates calories that don’t arrive. Most professionals recommend limiting intake to about one can per day or a few per week and prioritizing water or unsweetened drinks for hydration.

via HuffPost|

#artificial-sweeteners #diabetes #diet-soda

science3 months ago•4 min saved

Sweeteners Leave Generational Footprints on Gut and Metabolism, Mouse Study Finds

A mouse study found that common zero-calorie sweeteners, sucralose and stevia, alter the gut microbiome and the activity of genes tied to metabolism and inflammation, with effects lingering into the second generation—more pronounced for sucralose. The research shows associations, not causation, and underscores the need for further human studies and moderation in consumption.

via SciTechDaily|

#artificial-sweeteners #epigenetics #generational-effects

science-and-technology3 months ago•6 min saved

Sugar Substitutes Under Scrutiny: Do They Really Help Health?

New research questions whether sugar substitutes truly deliver health benefits; despite being marketed to cut calories and prevent tooth decay, emerging evidence suggests potential downsides and calls for long-term studies to weigh risks and benefits.

via The Economist|

#artificial-sweeteners #dental-health #health-effects

science4 months ago•5 min saved

Belief Overrides Sweetness: Expectations Rewrite the Brain's Sweet Reward

A neuroscience study using fMRI with 99 healthy adults shows that what people expect about a beverage’s sugar content can dramatically change how the brain’s reward system processes sweetness: thinking a drink contains sugar boosts the reward response to artificial sweeteners, while thinking it’s diet makes real sugar less pleasant. The dopaminergic midbrain was identified as key in this effect, highlighting how labeling and expectations can influence food choices and may inform dietary messaging.

via Neuroscience News|

#artificial-sweeteners #dopaminergic-midbrain #expectancy

health4 months ago•5 min saved

Artificial sweeteners tied to faster cognitive aging in large Brazilian study

A Neurology study of 12,772 Brazilian adults over ~8 years found that higher intake of six common sugar substitutes (aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-K, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol; tagatose was the exception) is associated with faster cognitive decline, with the highest-intake group showing about 62% faster global decline (roughly 1.6 years of aging) and notable drops in memory and verbal fluency; the link is correlational, not proven causation, and potential mechanisms include toxic metabolites and brain inflammation. Sugar substitutes remain common in ultraprocessed foods, so moderation rather than complete avoidance is advised.

via SELF Magazine|

#artificial-sweeteners #brain-health #cognitive-decline

health5 months ago•7 min saved

Sugary Substitutes May Speed Up Midlife Memory Decline, Study Finds

An eight-year study of 12,772 adults (mean age ~52) found that higher consumption of several low- and no-calorie sweeteners (except tagatose) is linked to faster cognitive decline, especially among those under 60 and people with diabetes. The results show correlation, not causation, and health authorities say approved sweeteners remain safe while further research is needed.

via HuffPost UK|

#artificial-sweeteners #cognitive-decline #dementia-risk