Artificial sweeteners: healthy or dangerous?
Artificial sweeteners: healthy or dangerous?
artificial sweeteners: healthy or dangerous?
Artificial sweeteners have gained popularity in recent decades and have become an integral part of our modern food industry. They are offered in many products, from sugar-free drinks to diet snacks. But there are concerns about their health effects. In this article we will go into more detail about artificial sweeteners and examine whether they are really healthy or dangerous for us.
What are artificial sweeteners?
Artificial sweeteners are synthetically produced compounds that are used to give food a sweet taste without increasing the amount of sugar or calories. They are usually much sweeter than normal sugar and are often used in small quantities to create the same sweet taste.
There are different types of artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, saccharin, sucralose and acesulfam-K. Each sweetener has its own chemical structure and differences in the way it is processed by the body.
Security of artificial sweeteners
The security of artificial sweeteners is a controversial topic that has led to many discussions and studies. Most countries have set safety limit values for consumption of artificial sweeteners, which are referred to as ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake). These limit values are intended to ensure that consumption of artificial sweeteners does not have any health risks.
Aspartam
Aspartam is one of the most frequently used artificial sweeteners. It is used in numerous light and diet products. It is believed that aspartame can trigger headache or allergic reactions in certain people. However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found that the ADI is safe for Aspartam and there are no concerns about long -term use.
saccharin
Saccharin was criticized in the 1970s when studies on rats showed an increase in cancer risk. However, later studies showed no clear evidence of a harmful effect on humans. Most experts agree that saccharin is safe in the recommended quantities.
sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener made from sugar and is about 600 times sweeter than normal sugar. It is often used in baked goods, desserts and sugar -free drinks. So far there are no signs that sucralose is harmful. The EFSA has classified the Adi for sucralose as safe.
acesulfam-k
Acesulfam-K is another artificial sweetener that often occurs in sugar-free products. It is believed that it is not absorbed in the body and therefore has no calories. So far, studies have shown no harmful effects on humans and the EFSA has classified Acesulfam-K as safe.
The effects on weight loss
Artificial sweeteners are often used by people who try to lose weight or reduce their sugar consumption. It is assumed that you can represent a low -calorie alternative to sugar and thus help you lose weight.
However, a number of studies have shown contradictory results in relation to the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight loss. Some studies indicate that the consumption of artificial sweeteners could actually be associated with weight gain, while others have not found any significant effects. It is important to note that many of these studies are based on observation data and therefore cannot provide any conclusive evidence.
It is assumed that the consumption of artificial sweeteners could increase the appetite for sweet food, which can cause you to eat more overall and therefore no weight loss. In addition, artificial sweeteners could change the taste for natural sweetness and cause natural food to be perceived as less satisfactory.
Health concerns
Despite the safety ratings, there are still concerns about the long -term effects of consumption of artificial sweeteners. Some studies have proposed that consumption of artificial sweeteners could increase the risk of different diseases.
diabetes
It is believed that people who suffer from diabetes can consume artificial sweeteners as an alternative to sugar. Although many artificial sweeteners have no influence on blood sugar levels, studies have found some connections between the consumption of artificial sweeteners and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, more research is needed to better understand these relationships.
metabolic disorders
Some research results have pointed out that artificial sweeteners could influence the metabolism. They could disturb the body's insulin reaction and contribute to metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and obesity. However, these effects have not yet been sufficiently researched and require further examinations.
Effects on intestinal health
Artificial sweeteners could also have an impact on intestinal health. Studies on animals have shown that the consumption of artificial sweeteners can change the intestinal bacterial composition. A disturbed intestinal microbiota was associated with a number of health problems such as inflammation and metabolic disorders. However, it is unclear whether these results are transferable to humans.
FAZIT
The debate about artificial sweeteners and their effects on health is complex and controversial. Previous studies suggest that artificial sweeteners can trigger allergic reactions or headaches for certain people, but overall are safe for consumption. There are contradictory results in relation to the effects of artificial sweeteners on weight loss, diabetes and metabolic disorders. Further research is required to better understand the long -term effects of consumption of artificial sweeteners. Ultimately, it is important that everyone decides individually whether they want to consume artificial sweeteners or not. A balanced diet based on natural foods is always the best choice for health.
More about natural and healthy nutrition can be found in our advisory magazine ein-heilpraktiker.com