Replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners is bad for your weight

Artificial sweeteners can lead to long-term weight gain and increases the risk of obesity, among other, a new scientific study says. 

Artificial sweeteners are bad for your health according to a new study which shows that consumption has bee associated with long-term weight gain and increased risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

The new study was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal,  and it shows that more and more people are replacing sugar with aspartame, sucralose and stevia, in an effort to lead a healthier life. But according to the medical data, the artificial, or nonnutritive, sweeteners may have negative effects on metabolism, gut bacteria and appetite.

To better understand whether consuming artificial sweeteners is associated with negative long-term effects on weight and heart disease, researchers from the University of Manitoba’s George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation conducted a systematic review of 37 studies that followed over 400 000 people for an average of 10 years. Out of the 37 studies, only 7 of these studies were randomized controlled trials, considered the gold standard in clinical research. Those seven included 1003 participants which were followed for 6 months on average.

The first thing that the scientists found, contrary to popular believes, is that there was no consistent effect on weight loss.

The researchers also found that, on the long run, consumption of artificial sweeteners was associated with a relatively higher risks of weight gain and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and other health issues.

“Despite the fact that millions of individuals routinely consume artificial sweeteners, relatively few patients have been included in clinical trials of these products,” said author Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, Assistant Professor, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. “We found that data from clinical trials do not clearly support the intended benefits of artificial sweeteners for weight management.”

In light of the new study, the researchers are warning on the side of caution, waiting for more data on the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners.

“Caution is warranted until the long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners are fully characterized,” said lead author Dr. Meghan Azad, Assistant Professor, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.

Dr. Meghan Azad’s team at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba is undertaking a new study to understand how artificial sweetener consumption by pregnant women may influence weight gain, metabolism and gut bacteria in their infants.

“Given the widespread and increasing use of artificial sweeteners, and the current epidemic of obesity and related diseases, more research is needed to determine the long-term risks and benefits of these products,” said Azad.