Artificial Sweetener Can Trigger Weight Gain

Psychologists working at the Ingestive Behavior Research Center of the Purdue University have recently reported that during a study on artificial sweetener 9 rats who ate yogurts sweetened with zero-calorie saccharine has experienced increase in their appetite and as a result gained more body fat and weight compared to the 8 rats eating yogurts with pain glucose (simple sugar containing 15 calories in every teaspoon). Two authors of the study, Terry Davidson and Susan Swithers have speculated that the reason behind this is that the artificial sweeteners affects the brain and make it feel that the body is going to intake a lot of calories. According to the authors, as taste buds sense something sweet, the brain receives a signal to prepare our digestive system for an onslaught of calories. When the artificially sweetened food item fails to offer the expected calories, our body finds it difficult to regulate the appetite if other food items are available. This leads to overeating, which eventually results in more weight gain compared to what we would have experienced by taking natural sugar.

Davidson and Swithers in their report mentioned that artificial sweetener such as acesulfame, sucralose and aspartame may have similar effects on body weight as the zero-calorie saccharine. The findings of this study gibe with findings of another recently conducted study published in the journal of American Heart Association, which reveals individuals who down the diet drinks and sodas are more likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome and obesity. Metabolic syndrome is the medical term used for disorders like insulin resistance, hypertension and abdominal fat that make one more susceptible towards developing diabetes and heart diseases.

Davidson and Swithers, however agree with the fact that more researches need to be done on the subject. Effects found in rats do not indicate that the same should happen even in the humans. However, these findings can definitely work as warning against unnecessary use of artificial sweetener.