The Association Between Artificial Sweeteners and Obesity

Abstract

Although artificial sweeteners were developed as a sugar substitute to help reduce insulin resistance and obesity, data in both animal models and humans suggest that the effects of artificial sweeteners may contribute to metabolic syndrome and the obesity epidemic. Artificial sweeteners appear to change the host microbiome, lead to decreased satiety, and alter glucose homeostasis, and are associated with increased caloric consumption and weight gain. Artificial sweeteners are marketed as a healthy alternative to sugar and as a tool for weight loss. Data however suggests that the intended effects do not correlate with what is seen in clinical practice. Future research should focus on the newer plant-based sweeteners, incorporate extended study durations to determine the long-term effects of artificial sweetener consumption, and focus on changes in the microbiome, as that seems to be one of the main driving forces behind nutrient absorption and glucose metabolism.

Impact of soft drinks to health and economy: a critical review

“…Several artificial sweeteners are used to give diet soft drinks a sweet taste without sugar. The consumption of artificial sweeteners has been found to promote weight gain rather than weight loss in several studies (Hampton 2008;Swithers and Davidson 2008;Pearlman et al 2017). These studies showed that these sweeteners induce insulin production into the blood and in the absence of blood sugar, hypoglycaemia and increased food intake occur resulting in overweight and obesity.…”

“…Diet (alternatively marketed as sugar-free, zero-calorie or low-calorie) drinks are sugar-free, artificially sweetened versions of carbonated soft drinks with virtually no calories. They are generally marketed toward health conscious people, diabetics, athletes, and other people who want to lose weight, improve physical fitness, or reduce their sugar intake (Weihrauch and Diehl 2004;Whitehouse et al 2008;Tandel 2011;Gardner et al 2012;Pearlman et al 2017). Although diet soft drinks are non-cariogenic as they contain artificial sweeteners, they contain phosphoric and citric acid at a similar level as the regular beverages which contribute to the total acidic challenge potential on enamel (Roos and Donly 2002;Shenkin et al 2003).…”

Interactions between Bitter Taste, Diet and Dysbiosis: Consequences for Appetite and Obesity

“…Some artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin and acesulfame potassium, stimulate T2Rs as well as T1Rs [ 63 ]. Interestingly, artificial sweetener use is also associated with changes in host microbiota profiles, decreased satiety signalling, altered glucose homeostasis, increased calorie intake and weight gain [ 64 ]. However, the direct roles of extraoral T2Rs modulating these changes in response to artificial sweetener use are yet to be investigated.…”

Żywność wysokoprzetworzona i jej wpływ na zdrowie dzieci i osób dorosłych

“…Słodziki mogą przyczyniać się do rozwoju zespołu metabolicznego oraz epidemii otyłości, poprzez zmiany w obrębie mikrobiomu. Mechanizm obejmuje obniżenie uczucia sytości, zmiany w stężeniu glukozy we krwi oraz zwiększanie spożycia kalorii, co w rezultacie przyczynia się do wzrostu masy ciała [42]. Wykazano także, że spożywanie sztucznie słodzonych napojów bezalkoholowych związane jest z wczesną menarche u dziewczynek [43].…”