Those who follow a careful diet explicitly avoid anything that contains sugar, sometimes using sweeteners in order to fill the gap of the need for sweets without being burdened with extra calories. However, according to a new study, such a move probably has the exact opposite results than expected.
In a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, scientists analyzed 37 separate studies focusing on artificial sweeteners to see if they were ultimately effective in weight management. The studies lasted a decade and were conducted on a total of more than 400,000 people. In fact seven of the studies were controlled trials conducted in randomized individuals, a type of research that is considered to be the standard procedure in the scientific community.
The results showed that artificial sweeteners do not help people lose weight. Instead, observational studies examining the consumption of such sweeteners over time show that those who consume them on a regular basis were more prone to health issues such as weight gain, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
"I think people just assume that because artificial sweeteners have zero calories, there's zero damage," said study lead author Meghan Azad, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the University of Manitoba in Canada. "Unfortunately, the quality of the evidence supporting the use of sweeteners is not really strong," said Susan Swithers, a professor in the Department of Psychological Studies at Purdue University, which has also researched artificial sweeteners but has not participated in the new study itself.
However, it is not entirely clear whether artificial sweeteners really cause any harm to the body. For example, people who consume more artificial sweeteners may also consume more processed foods, which are associated with a higher risk of obesity or heart problems. That's why researchers point out that more research and long-term study is needed on the issue.
See also
Soft drinks increase the risk of developing diabetes
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