Scientists Artificial sweeteners in many foods increase the risk of diabetes

When people consume large amounts of artificial sweeteners, the risk of Type 2 diabetes increases
For some time there has been a lot of discussion about what artificial sweeteners cause in our body. Researchers have now found that consuming large amounts of artificial sweeteners can alter the body's response to glucose. This increases the risk for consumers of developing type 2 diabetes.

Researchers at the Adelaide Medical School at the University of Adelaide found that increased intake of artificial sweeteners may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. The experts published the results of their study at this year's European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting in Portugal.

Many people use artificial sweeteners to consume less sugar and thereby maintain a healthy body weight. Physicians have now discovered that increased consumption of artificial sweeteners leads to effects in the body, which then increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (Image: Monika Wisniewska / fotolia.com)

The intake of artificial sweeteners leads to type 2 diabetes?
Previous research has already shown that the consumption of large amounts of artificial sweeteners is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, explain the physicians. The underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Therefore, the new study by Adelaide Medical School scientists aimed to further explore the effects of consuming large amounts of artificial sweeteners on the human body.

Subjects consumed large quantities of artificial sweeteners for two weeks
The physicians recruited 27 healthy volunteers for their examination. These were given two different artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame-K). The amount was equal to the intake when drinking 1.5 liters of a sweetener beverage. Some subjects were given only an inactive placebo for control. The sweeteners were given in the form of capsules that were taken three times a day before meals for a period of two weeks, the researchers explain. At the end of these two weeks, the volunteers examined the response to glucose. In particular, the plasma glucose and insulin levels, the intestinal peptides and glucose absorption were examined, the experts add, according to EurekAlert.

How did the intake of high levels of artificial sweeteners affect?
The research team found in his study that the intake of artificial sweeteners leads to an increase in the response to glucose. Both the absorption of glucose and the blood glucose levels of the affected subjects were increased. In addition, the values ​​for the intestinal peptide GLP-1 were reduced, which influences the increase of blood sugar after meals. If the subjects took only a placebo, the values ​​did not change, say the doctors.

Artificial sweeteners can reduce the body's control of blood sugar levels
The researchers also found that taking artificial sweeteners for a period of two weeks is enough to increase glucose absorption. The authors conclude that artificial sweeteners may interfere with the body's control of blood sugar levels. The increased glucose levels of users of artificial sweeteners after a meal, for their part, may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (As)