Artificial Sweeteners Impair Glucose Absorption

Artificial sweeteners impair glucose absorption

Low-calorie artificial sweeteners can affect blood glucose and insulin levels, American scientists have found. The effect can be detected even if the person does not eat, but only tastes them.

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Low-calorie artificial sweeteners can affect blood glucose and insulin levels, American scientists have found. The effect can be detected even if the person does not eat, but only tastes them. New data published in Nutrients journal.

“The sweet taste itself can affect carbohydrate metabolism and glucose control. Although the sample in our study was small, the findings add to some of the evidence that sweets should be eaten in moderation, regardless of calories,”said study leader Yanina Pepino of the University of Illinois.

The experiment involved 10 people with normal weight and 11 people with obesity. Among the participants were no diabetics and those who constantly use artificial sweeteners.

Participants completed three glucose tolerance tests on different days, about a week apart. Before the first test, they drank distilled water, before the second they swallowed 48 mg of sucralose, and before the third they tried but did not swallow sucralose.

The scientists measured the concentration of sucralose, glucose, insulin, and several other hormones in the participants' blood. Blood samples were taken one hour before and five hours after glucose intake.

The researchers found that the effects of sucralose differed depending on whether it was swallowed or just tasted, and on the weight of the participants.

When people with a healthy weight swallowed sucralose, blood insulin levels decreased moderately during the first hour, and insulin sensitivity increased by about 50%. And in obese people, after ingesting sucralose, insulin levels increased significantly more than in the other two cases.

“We found that in both groups of people there was a decrease in insulin response in the glucose tolerance test when they simply tasted the sweetness before consuming the glucose solution. This was the most amazing discovery, and we continue to research in this direction,”said Yanina Pepino.

Although the chemical structure of artificial sweeteners is different, they all activate taste buds. Therefore, the metabolic effects that are associated with sweetness may be similar, the researchers suggest.