Artificial sweeteners could negatively impact gut bacteria

[DCUK NewsBot]

Artificial sweeteners found in soft drinks could be harmful to gut bacteria, according to new research. Six sweeteners that negatively affect gut health have been identified by researchers from Israel and Singapore. These include aspartame, which is used in Diet Coke, plus sucralose, saccharine, neotame, advantame and acesulfame potassium-k. Diet soft drinks are of course preferable compared to full sugar drinks, particularly for people with diabetes because they keep blood glucose levels lower. But these findings highlight that artificial sweeteners may not be the healthiest alternative. On our Low Carb Program we recommend adding slices of lemon, lime or other fruits such as berries to lightly flavour water, rather than drinking soft drinks. The new research, led by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, discovered toxins are released when gut bacteria was exposed to the sweeteners. As little as one mg/ml of the sweeteners turned the bacteria toxic. Artificial sweeteners have previously been associated with possible increased risks of type 2 diabetes and cancer, and according to the researchers the results stress the need to further investigate their link to gut bacteria. Maintaining gut health is important for digestion, immune function and nutrient absorption among other benefits. survey solutions The findings are also important because in the wake of the government's sugar tax launch earlier this year, some sugary drinks will become more expensive, potentially encouraging people to opt for more diet soft drinks. Lead author Professor Ariel Kushmaro said: "This is further evidence consumption of artificial sweeteners adversely affects gut microbial activity which can cause a wide range of health issues. "The results of this study might help in understanding the relative toxicity of artificial sweeteners and the potential of negative effects on the gut microbial community." The findings have been published online in the journal Molecules.

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[kitedoc]

Unnatural sweeteners lead to unnatural bowel troubles. I guess that is the logic and just shows you that sugar-free does not equal problem free. And please let us not start on caffeine content of some of these drinks !!!

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Artificial sweeteners found in soft drinks could be harmful to gut bacteria, according to new research. Six sweeteners that negatively affect gut health have been identified by researchers from Israel and Singapore. These include aspartame, which is used in Diet Coke, plus sucralose, saccharine, neotame, advantame and acesulfame potassium-k. Diet soft drinks are of course preferable compared to full sugar drinks, particularly for people with diabetes because they keep blood glucose levels lower. But these findings highlight that artificial sweeteners may not be the healthiest alternative. On our Low Carb Program we recommend adding slices of lemon, lime or other fruits such as berries to lightly flavour water, rather than drinking soft drinks. The new research, led by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, discovered toxins are released when gut bacteria was exposed to the sweeteners. As little as one mg/ml of the sweeteners turned the bacteria toxic. Artificial sweeteners have previously been associated with possible increased risks of type 2 diabetes and cancer, and according to the researchers the results stress the need to further investigate their link to gut bacteria. Maintaining gut health is important for digestion, immune function and nutrient absorption among other benefits. survey solutions The findings are also important because in the wake of the government's sugar tax launch earlier this year, some sugary drinks will become more expensive, potentially encouraging people to opt for more diet soft drinks. Lead author Professor Ariel Kushmaro said: "This is further evidence consumption of artificial sweeteners adversely affects gut microbial activity which can cause a wide range of health issues. "The results of this study might help in understanding the relative toxicity of artificial sweeteners and the potential of negative effects on the gut microbial community." The findings have been published online in the journal Molecules.

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Thanks so much for posting this. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what was going wrong with the Keto/IF. Bowelproblems became more severe as time went on, and nothing helped. It wasn't until I saw this that I realised that to stave off hunger, I'd drastically upped my tea and coffee intake. And with that, about 30 to 40 doses of sweetener a day. (Three per cup, and I always had a cup steaming beside me, so that might be a conservative number). Not to mention the coke light/zero. Stopped the sweeteners, kept taking the probiotics which previously seem to have been promptly killed off, and I feel so much better now!

I am going to try a natural sugar alternative, see whether that works for me, because I can't stand tea or coffee otherwise... And it is a bit cold to be drinking sparkling water all the time. But I'm laying off the sweeteners.

Thank you so much!!!!

 

[zand]

Diet soft drinks are of course preferable compared to full sugar drinks, particularly for people with diabetes because they keep blood glucose levels lower.

But for non diabetics they are worse because they are a cause of fatty liver and insulin resistance, which is the start of T2! So logically they aren't that great for T2s in the long term either.

We now know that hyperinsulimia is a worse problem than high blood glucose levels so I don't know how anyone can say that diet drinks are better than the full sugar ones.