In recent years you may have noticed there are many products on the shelf that say things like “sugar-free” or “Zero Sugar.” Weirdly they still taste just as sweet as the same product with the sugar added. This is often because it contains artificial sugars. Artificial sugars are a type of sugar substitute made from chemicals and the result of a manufacturing process. These product has been mass-produced since the early 1900s, but it wasn’t until the late 20th century that they became famous. The problem with these artificial sugars is that they can bring along their problems. This article will give you a list of reasons why you should avoid artificial sugars.
Contents
Weight Gain
Although artificial sugars do not directly affect your blood sugar, they can still affect your weight. The sugar that naturally occurs in foods is absorbed into the blood as glucose, and it sends a signal to the brain, so your body knows when you have eaten enough. When you eat a lot of them, it will signal to the brain that food has been consumed, which will be converted to energy. The artificial sugars do not affect this process because they are not absorbed properly by the body, so you will feel hungry after eating artificially sweetened. This can lead to weight gain since you will want to eat more.
Cancer Risk
These processed sweeteners are believed to increase cancer risk because they cause an imbalance in how gut bacteria metabolize the artificial sugar. The bacteria that live in the intestine convert food into energy, breaking down fiber into short-chain fatty acids that can be used by cells lining the colon. When you eat something that contains artificial sugars, the bacteria quickly metabolize it and increase the amount of short-chain fatty acids in the gut. This means there is less for cells lining the colon to use and can lead to DNA damage and an increased risk of cancer.
Headaches/Migraines
Artificial sugars are also believed to increase the risk of headaches and migraines because they contain phenylamine. Phenylamine is a type of amino acid that is naturally produced in small amounts in the body but can cause problems in larger amounts because it raises blood pressure which can lead to an increased likelihood of headaches. Some artificial sugars are made from amino acids that are artificially synthesized in a laboratory, affecting blood pressure levels and leading to the same issues.
Cavities
Another issue with artificial sugars is that they can also lead to cavities and dental erosion. They contain acids, and bacteria in the mouth feed on these sugars and produce acid. This means your teeth begin to erode, and you are more likely to experience tooth decay. This is especially bad for those who drink a lot of artificially sweetened sodas because the acid in the soda will combine with saliva to produce more acid that can eat away at your teeth.
Your Brain
Before consuming artificial sugars, you should be aware that they are known to impact the brain negatively. Studies have shown that artificial sugars can cause metabolic changes when finished because your body is expecting glucose when it never comes. This means your insulin levels remain high. People with lowered brain responses are more likely to experience mood swings and depression, especially diabetes, because it can lower their insulin levels.
Depression
Studies have shown that fake sugars can lead to depression in various ways. As mentioned above, when you eat a lot of counterfeit sugars without ever having glucose, your insulin levels remain high, which can also lower serotonin production, which is known to be shared in people who are depressed. In addition, the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine are also lowered when you eat too many fake sugars, which leads to mood swings and problems concentrating.
Diabetes
Finally, artificial sugars can also damage the lining of your blood vessels, which increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Studies have shown that if you eat a lot of fake sugars, you may experience increased insulin resistance which means more glucose is not absorbed by cells in your body as it should be. This can cause frequent urination, thirstiness, blurred vision, and more. People with diabetes are at a much higher risk for these complications because their bodies cannot regulate glucose levels well enough on their own, which means they will need help from insulin injections or other medical interventions to stay healthy.
Conclusion
Artificial sugars have been shown to have many adverse effects on your body and health over time. This is because most artificial sugars are heavily processed, meaning most of the natural nutrients found in these sweeteners have been stripped away. Leaving them as empty calories can cause different side effects. If you are serious about losing weight and improving your health, it is best to remove artificial sugars from your diet.
