New research suggests that low-calorie sweeteners cause only modest changes in blood sugar, insulin levels, insulin sensitivity and weight gain, as compared to those induced by sugar. The study is published ahead of print in the American Journal of Physiology-;Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology.
Low-calorie sweeteners produced from both artificial and naturally occurring, plant-based molecules are popular because they enhance the taste of food and drink without the high calorie count of sugar. Previous studies of the health impact of these products have garnered conflicting results. Some research has shown weight gain and altered blood glucose (sugar) control as side effects of low-calorie sweeteners, while other evidence suggests that natural sweeteners such as stevioside improve glucose control. Much of the research on low-calorie sweeteners focuses on a single sweetener, which may be problematic because different sweeteners have different metabolic effects on the body.
