Artificial Sweeteners May Disrupt Body’s Blood Sugar Controls.

[elleng]

Artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, causing metabolic changes that can be a precursor to diabetes, researchers are reporting.

That is “the very same condition that we often aim to prevent” by consuming sweeteners instead of sugar, said Dr. Eran Elinav, an immunologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, at a news conference to discuss the findings.

The scientists performed a multitude of experiments, mostly on mice, to back up their assertion that the sweeteners alter the microbiome, the population of bacteria that is in the digestive system.

The different mix of microbes, the researchers contend, changes the metabolism of glucose, causing levels to rise higher after eating and to decline more slowly than they otherwise would.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/09/17/artificial-sweeteners-may-disrupt-bodys-blood-sugar-controls/?_php=true&_type=blogs&hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=HpSum&module=second-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0

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Maybe.I'll.go.back.to.'regular'chocolate,instead.of.Russel.Stover's.sugar.free.miniatures.

[hlthe2b]

1. I think the issue as to whether this is an impact only when consuming artificially sweetened,

non-caloric beverages versus consuming in the course of a normal meal (with fats, protein, and low glycemic index carbohydrates) is surely required before drawing any major conclusions.

That said, I long ago gave up artificial sweeteners in tea, coffee or any kind of soft drink. The small amount I do use is in healthy smoothies--that are well balanced so as to avoid insulin spikes and I've not experienced problems.

I would be surprised if a well balanced meal would not offset any such effects from most of the artificial sweeteners, just as it does at least partially ameliorate sugar consumed in the course of a meal. Much more research needed, though.

[LiberalEsto]

2. I avoid artificial sweeteners like the plague

Now I have to cut down on regular sugar as well.

[elleng]

3. I've.done.the.same,LibEst,

1.tsp.sugar.in.coffee,NEVER.have.'sweetened'.sodasetc,but.do.want.to.continue.to.eat.chocolatel

[LiberalEsto]

4. Chocolate: me too!

I may worship the person who invents chocolate that is sweet without affecting blood sugar or causing side effects or weight gain.

I don't drink coffee. Tea with milk, no sugar. No soda of any kind.

[elleng]

5. RussellStover.sugar.free.miniatures.are.very.good,

none.of.the.icky.taste.of.other.sweeteners,and.include.dark.chocolate.and.had.dark.with.raspberry.Haven't.seen.that.one.in.a.while.I.HOPE.the.adverse.effects.mentioned.in.the.article.don't.occur.with.R/S.

Water.is.my.preferred.drink!

[handmade34]

6. chocolate w/xylitol

Last edited Wed Sep 17, 2014, 10:56 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.drjohns.com/Dark-Chocolate-With-Almonds-Bars-p/ndab.htm

much better than artificial sweetener, low glycemic and fights against cavities

[elleng]

7. THANKS!

Available.where?

[handmade34]

8. most "health food" stores

have treats sweetened with xylitol... I buy all of my xylitol bulk from here:

http://store.xylitolusa.com/5lb-xylitol-bag-north-american-birch/

they always used to sell chocolates but I noticed the website doesn't have any at this time... the only one I see online is Dr. John's Candies, but I have never tried them...

I do not buy xylitol made from corn, only birch... I have cut out all other sweeteners (except fruit) and use only small amounts of xylitol in coffee and other such stuff...

any processed sweetener is still not perfect but I believe it is the best way to sweeten foods if you must (keep away from dogs!)

[Warpy]

9. Always watch those weasel words

In this case, it's "may" and "often."

The study has to be repeated with human subjects with a large sample size. Also, people aren't mice and don't eat (or drink) artificially sweetened items alone. There is usually a meal or snack, usually carbohydrate, being nibbled at the same time.

[SheilaT]

10. I don't knowingly consume anything that's artificially sweetened.

I do not see real sugar as the poison so many paint it as. I often bake for myself, which means I'm getting cookies or cakes or brownies made only with eggs, sugar, flour, chocolate or cocoa, and so on. I bake a fabulous carrot cake.

I also prefer to use recipes from older, as in mid-twentieth century, cookbooks. They tend to call for slightly less sugar than newer cookbooks use, and I'm not sure why.

[phylny]

11. Does this include Truvia? HORRORS! :) n/t