01 Aug Should You Swap Sugar With Sweeteners?
The rise of sweeteners started with health concerns such as obesity, weight gain, and diabetes.
Sweeteners can be artificial or natural. Some of its marketed benefits include weight loss, blood sugar control, and better oral health.
There are health experts who consider sweeteners to be safe. However, there are also claims about its adverse effects on people’s health.
Sweeteners Benefits
Sugar substitutes lower your risk of tooth decay and cavities as sweeteners do not react to the bacteria in your mouth.
It can also aid people in weight loss in the short term due to the low to no-calorie content of the sweeteners.
In addition, it can also help people looking to wean sugar by decreasing sugar intake.
Limited Studies’ Findings
Although sweeteners are promoted as a tool to help in weight loss, experts hypothesized that they may cause weight gain, with sweeteners directly encouraging the development of new fat cells.
Some research also suggests that sweeteners have a link to a higher risk of stroke and heart disease. There is also a question regarding the long-term use of sweeteners for gut health.
Another type of sugar substitute is known as sugar alcohols. It has been linked to reports of bloating, gas, and diarrhea. The amount of sugar alcohols causing these symptoms varies on a person.
Sugar substitutes can be helpful in reaching your health goals in the short term. However, more studies are needed to explore the long-term effects of sugar substitutes.
To cut back your sugar intake, you can start by removing sugary drinks from your diet and avoiding any food with added sugar.
Start with eating whole grains and avoid processed snack foods. A more sustainable lifestyle includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
SOURCE:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/artificial-sweeteners-good-or-bad#types