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Artificial Sweeteners May Change Our Gut Bacteria in Dangerous Ways

scientificamerican.com

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Re: Artificial Sweeteners May Change Our Gut Bacteria in Dangerous Ways

#12

Post by LordKano »

cleaver wrote: post #11

Stevia was not included, so for now I'll assume it is safe. It does have some positive effects such as increasing insulin sensitivity. I only had diet soft drinks very occasionally, but I think I'll eliminate entirely and stick to water or juice.

I'm not sure that stevia is an "artificial" sweetener.

Re: Artificial Sweeteners May Change Our Gut Bacteria in Dangerous Ways

#13

Post by DanBC »

ethanbond wrote: post #5
number_six wrote: post #2

So sugar is good again?

> Methadone is really harmful. > So heroin is back in? Evidently, both are bad and it doesn't seem to be immediately clear whether real sugar or artificial is more harmful. But we do know for a fact that excess carbohydrate intake causes numerous serious health problems (heart problems, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's, etc).

>But we do know for a fact that excess carbohydrate intake causes numerous serious health problems [...] Alzheimer's,

Do we know that for a fact? Definitely?

Re: Artificial Sweeteners May Change Our Gut Bacteria in Dangerous Ways

#15

Post by mapt »

LordKano wrote: post #12
cleaver wrote: post #11

Stevia was not included, so for now I'll assume it is safe. It does have some positive effects such as increasing insulin sensitivity. I only had diet soft drinks very occasionally, but I think I'll eliminate entirely and stick to water or juice.

I'm not sure that stevia is an "artificial" sweetener.

Your body doesn't care whether something was made by humans or whether it was made by nature. It only cares about the particularities of the molecules involved.

Re: Artificial Sweeteners May Change Our Gut Bacteria in Dangerous Ways

#16

Post by Zelphyr »

LordKano wrote: post #12
cleaver wrote: post #11

Stevia was not included, so for now I'll assume it is safe. It does have some positive effects such as increasing insulin sensitivity. I only had diet soft drinks very occasionally, but I think I'll eliminate entirely and stick to water or juice.

I'm not sure that stevia is an "artificial" sweetener.

Technically I don't think its artificial. However, I notice that most Stevia products also contain dextrose. I don't think dextrose is considered artificial either but still, it begs the question why Stevia alone isn't enough and/or if dextrose is low or zero calorie then why not just use that?

Re: Artificial Sweeteners May Change Our Gut Bacteria in Dangerous Ways

#17

Post by darcyparker »

LordKano wrote: post #12
cleaver wrote: post #11

Stevia was not included, so for now I'll assume it is safe. It does have some positive effects such as increasing insulin sensitivity. I only had diet soft drinks very occasionally, but I think I'll eliminate entirely and stick to water or juice.

I'm not sure that stevia is an "artificial" sweetener.

It's natural, but there are doubts about its safety. In many countries it is still banned. And in countries like the USA it has only been available for a short period of time (after lots of lobbying).

Re: Artificial Sweeteners May Change Our Gut Bacteria in Dangerous Ways

#18

Post by Zelphyr »

__david__ wrote: post #10
ethanbond wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Methadone is really harmful. > So heroin is back in? Evidently, both are bad and it doesn't seem to be immediately clear whether real sugar or artificial is more harmful. But we do know for a fact that excess carbohydrate intake causes numerous serious health problems (heart problems, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's, etc).

Which is depressing because carbohydrates are so tasty. It's all I can do to resist them.

Same here though I've heard that with carbs and sugar, after a week or two without you find you don't crave them anymore. "I've heard" because I've not yet been able to attempt that particular experiment. :)
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