If you are sensitive to chemicals and need to avoid them in food, it is shocking to see how often they are added to so many foods. Artificial sweeteners are no exception. They are everywhere – condiments, chewing gum, beverages, candies, baked goods, and the like! We have avoided them for years, but here is another reason why you may want to think about avoiding them too!
We recently read a review article in the Washington Post on this topic. The Journal of Cell Metabolism published a study out of Yale examining the use of sucralose (found in Splenda, but also Zerocal, SucraPlus, Sukrana, and many others) in combination with carbohydrate intake and its effects on blood sugar.
This study looked at 60 healthy people and put them into 3 groups: 1: consumed regular size beverage with 2 packets sucralose; 2: beverages with table sugar; 3: sucralose plus carbs (maltodextrin). All beverages tasted the same. However, group 3 developed adverse health issues. Other studies provide similar results.
We know that high sugar intake can lead to issues with weight, heart disease, diabetes, and other health-related conditions. Sugar consumption in the US has gone down, yet, obesity rates have continued to rise. Why? The researchers report that the sweetener plus carbohydrate lead to significantly higher insulin levels, which can lead to metabolic dysfunction and weight gain, causing the body to become unable to properly metabolize sugar.
Some organizations will say to pay no attention to this study. They find artificial sweeteners to be time-tested “safe for human consumption.” We do not agree. We recommend again, as you often hear us say, “eat real food; cook real food; dump the junk; eliminate artificial anything.” To live the healthiest life possible, it starts with putting high quality fuel into your body. You will not optimize your health by consuming fast food, junk food, chemical-laden food, or artificial-anything food. Now pass the Brussels sprouts!
