It’s no secret that sugar is a major contributor to weight gain and other health problems (here are some of the worst sugary options for your health). For this reason, many people are turning to alternatives to sweeten their food and drinks. Some may opt for natural sweeteners like this one, while others choose to use calorie-free sweeteners. While these sugar substitutes may seem like a healthier choice, there’s often more than meets the eye, and there are potential risks that you should be aware of—especially if you’re watching your waistline. As it turns out, experts say that artificial sweeteners may actually lead to weight gain and inflammation in the body.
To learn more about the possible risks of excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners, we spoke to registered dietitian and nutritionist Krutika Nanavati. Read on for all of her expert insight about why you should be cautious when choosing their sweeteners, even when opting for “sugar-free” options.
READ MORE: The Scary Downside To Sugar-Free Foods No One Tells You About
How artificial sweeteners lead to inflammation and weight gain
You may think that artificial sweeteners make a healthier alternative to refined sugar. After all, consuming too much sugar can lead to a range of health issues (just look at some of the risks!) so it's important to limit your intake of this ingredient as much as possible, especially if you want to lose weight. However, experts warn that artificial sweeteners may be just as unhealthy for different reasons. In fact, consuming too many of these sugar replacements could result in inflammation and weight gain.
"One of the most significant effects of artificial sweeteners is inflammation and weight gain," Nanavati warns, noting that these ingredients can cause weight gain by disrupting the body's normal metabolic processes. "By increasing the amount of glucose in the blood, these sweeteners can cause the body to store more fat, leading to an increase in weight," she explains.
In addition to causing an increase in blood glucose, there's also the issue of inflammation, another major culprit of weight gain. "Artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame are not absorbed well by the body, which leads to an increase in circulating toxins that can cause inflammation," she goes on.
On top of all this, artificial sweeteners will likely cause you to crave more sweet foods later on—and we all know that overindulging in sweet treats can result in added pounds, or at least slowed weight loss. "Artificial sweeteners can cause the body to crave sugar and other unhealthy foods, leading to weight gain," Nanavati tells us. Yikes!
Finally, it's important to note that artificial sweeteners can lead to poor gut health, which can also play a substantial role in your overall health and weight management. As Nanavatis says, "Artificial sweeteners have been linked to disruption of gut bacteria, which can affect metabolism." You can learn more about the link between artificial sweeteners and gut health here.
The bottom line
So, there you have it: artificial sweeteners are likely a poor choice for your health, especially if you want to avoid weight gain. It's important to be aware of the potential risks associated with consuming artificial sweeteners and to consider alternatives, such as natural sweeteners like monk fruit, honey, and more. Making small changes to our diet can have a significant impact on our health, and avoiding artificial sweeteners is a step towards a healthier lifestyle.
