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| - Last Updated on July 23, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post says that artificial sweeteners help in weight loss and maintaining a slim figure. We fact checked and found the claim to be Mostly false.
The Claim
ekansh_taneja_fitness posted a video on instagram saying artificial sweetener doesn’t cause obesity and will keep you slim. The claimant asserts that consuming water and drinking soda with artificial sweeteners are nearly equivalent.
Fact Check
Who is the claimant?
According to his website Ekansh Taneja was previously overweight and has since lost weight. We have checked his website, and yet could not find any certification that shows a formal training in medicine. His assertion that artificial sugars will help in slimming down and won’t lead to weight gain should be approached with caution, as it comes from a non-professional individual. For accurate advice on the consumption of artificial sweeteners, it’s advisable to consult a doctor or a registered dietitian.
Does artificial sweetener help people with obesity?
Not really. Artificial sweeteners were originally developed to replace sugar and help with insulin resistance and obesity. In 2017 a research indicated that it may actually contribute to metabolic syndrome and the obesity problem. Studies in both animals and humans suggest that artificial sweeteners can alter the microbiome, reduce feelings of fullness after eating, and disrupt how our bodies manage sugar levels. Surprisingly, they might even lead to consuming more calories and gaining weight.
In 2010 large-scale studies showed a positive correlation between artificial sweetener consumption and weight gain.
For instance, the San Antonio Heart Study observed that adults who consumed artificially sweetened beverages had higher BMIs over a seven to eight-year period linked to greater weight gain. Similarly, studies by the American Cancer Society and Nurses’ Health Study reported associations between artificial sweetener use, particularly saccharin, and weight gain in women over several years.
Children’s studies also support these findings. High consumption of diet sodas among children was linked to higher BMI scores over time in various longitudinal studies, such as the Growing Up Today Study and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study.
Experimental studies shed light on potential mechanisms. Preload experiments indicate that sweet tastes, whether from sugar or artificial sweeteners, can stimulate appetite and increase subsequent food intake.
A 2020 review explores how artificial sweeteners affect body weight and glucose regulation differently than sugars due to their unique metabolic pathways, impacting gut microbiota, insulin response, and other physiological processes. While some studies suggest neutral or beneficial effects on weight and glucose control in humans, evidence is limited by short study durations and varying metabolic responses among different sweeteners. Future research, like the ongoing SWEET project, aims to clarify these effects and understand how individual differences in gut microbiota may influence responses to artificial sweeteners.
Is there a link between artificial sweetener and cancer?
According to the National Cancer Institute,(2023) individuals who consumed higher quantities of artificial sweeteners showed a slightly elevated risk of obesity-related cancers compared to those who did not use artificial sweeteners.
The debate over artificial sweeteners and cancer risk arose after a study showed elevated rates of bladder cancer in mice given very high doses of saccharin and cyclamate. As a result, cyclamate was banned in the U.S. However, subsequent research indicated that cyclamate does not actually pose a cancer risk.
In conclusion, while some studies highlight the potential benefits of artificial sweeteners, others emphasize their side effects. Therefore, it is advisable to consume artificial sweeteners in moderation.
Dr. Neha Singh, BHMS, MAPC, Bhavil Homoeopathic Clinic New Delhi said, “Artificial sweeteners are promoted as a healthier option to sugar. However, clinical data indicates that their anticipated benefits often do not align with real-world outcomes. Although artificial sweeteners are generally safe, that does not imply one should keep on drinking diet sodas or juices loaded with artificial sweeteners without any limit. Surprisingly, human data on the effects of artificial sweeteners on the human body are low and need further scientific research. Consumption in moderation is the key, and individuals should consult healthcare providers to understand personal health implications.”
What are the various other side effects of artificial sweetener?
In 2023 a research paper listed a number of harms artificial sweeteners can cause to our heart.
Artificial sweeteners could potentially harm cardiovascular health by disrupting the balance of gut bacteria, which play a crucial role in regulating metabolism and immune function. This imbalance has been linked to diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). By altering gene expression involved in carbohydrate metabolism, artificial sweeteners may affect how gut bacteria grow and function, leading to metabolic and inflammatory changes that contribute to vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular problems.
Moreover, artificial sweeteners might impair the function of certain proteins like ApoA-I, a key component of HDL (good cholesterol), which is crucial for preventing atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries). Changes in ApoA-I caused by artificial sweeteners could reduce its ability to act as an antioxidant and transport lipids effectively, promoting oxidative stress and accelerating the development of atherosclerosis.
Some artificial sweeteners, like aspartame, have been associated with oxidative stress in heart tissues and adverse effects on cardiac function. This includes decreased heart rate variability and a loss of protective nervous system functions, potentially increasing susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. Long-term consumption of artificial sweeteners has also been linked to structural changes in the heart and complications like impaired relaxation of the heart’s chambers (left ventricular end-diastolic pressure elevation).
Additionally, certain artificial sweeteners aspartame, can act as excitotoxins in cardiac tissue, potentially leading to arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. These substances can overstimulate glutamate receptors in the heart, disrupting normal electrical activity and increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms, especially in individuals without other heart conditions like high blood pressure or coronary artery disease.
Dr. Ashirwad Pawar, MBBS, Diabetologist, Sai Aashirwad Hospital, Mumbai, said,
“Artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharin, Acesulfame Potassium, and Stevia offer several potential benefits. However, it’s important to note the potential drawbacks. Studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may affect metabolism and gut microbiota. There is also evidence linking them to glucose intolerance in some individuals and an increase in appetite or cravings for sweet foods.
My recommendation is to use these artificial sweeteners in moderation. Consider gradually reducing their intake until no sweeteners are added at all. Focus on a balanced diet rich in whole foods to promote overall health and well-being.”
Mumbai-based diabetologist Dr. Almas Fatma advises against unlimited consumption of diet sodas, citing concerns over artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin. She says, “Despite their lower calorie content compared to regular sodas, excessive intake of these sweeteners may pose health risks, including potential metabolic issues such as insulin resistance, as suggested by some studies.”
Dr. Kunal Gupta, MD (Physician) and Emergency Physician at Accord Superspeciality Hospital, Faridabad, also warns against excessive consumption of diet coke, citing research linking it to potential weight gain. He recommends limiting intake to one or two cans per day, suggesting that regular soda may be a preferable option over diet coke.
Why are preclinical studies on animals important in the medical field?
Preclinical studies on animals are crucial in the medical field for several reasons. So ignoring the animals’ studies just because its done on animals can cause many disruptions.
1. Safety Assessment: These studies help evaluate the safety of new drugs or treatments before they are tested in humans. This helps identify potential side effects or toxicities.
2. Efficacy Evaluation: These studies assess the effectiveness of a treatment, providing initial evidence that a drug works as intended.
3. Biological Insights: They offer insights into the biological mechanisms and pathways affected by the treatment, improving understanding of how a drug interacts with the body.
4. Dose Optimization: Animal studies help determine the appropriate dosages that maximise efficacy while minimising side effects.
5. Ethical Considerations: Testing on animals reduces the risk to humans by ensuring that only promising and safe treatments progress to clinical trials.
6. Regulatory Requirements: Regulatory agencies often require animal data before approving clinical trials in humans to ensure that new treatments are safe and effective.
While animal studies are invaluable, they are complemented by other research methods to ensure comprehensive understanding and safety before human trials.
Dr Priyamvada, BDS, Master of Public Health (Max Healthcare, Saket) says, “Animal studies with rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits are crucial for pharmaceutical discoveries. Rats and mice, making up 95% of lab animals, are genetically similar to humans, providing valuable insights. Also, their shorter lifespans allow long-term studies on treatment effects and safety.”
These studies bridge basic science and human trials, ensuring new treatments are safe and effective. Despite certain obvious physiological differences, they remain essential. Researchers must follow ethical guidelines to minimise animal use and suffering. Despite ethical concerns, animal testing has led to significant medical advancements like treatments for cancer and HIV/AIDS. The pharmaceutical industry relies heavily on these preclinical tests for drug safety and effectiveness, as required by regulatory agencies.
We asked Dr. Shalin Nagori, Consultant Pathologist and Industrial Physician from Halol, Gujarat, whether conducting tests on animals means the research doesn’t align with human physiology. He replied affirmatively, encouraging that the relevance of animal models depends significantly on the species chosen for the research. According to him, animals such as rats and monkeys share enough physiological similarities with humans that research conducted on them can potentially align with human physiology, either directly or indirectly.”
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