2. Artificial Sweeteners
You might be thinking that by swapping out sugar for artificial sweeteners, you’d be doing your body a favour, yet though sweeteners might contain less calories, several can be hazardous to your health. Research has found that common sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose can increase the chance of developing diabetes and put you at risk of other conditions, such as heart disease, neurophysiological symptoms, and metabolic syndrome.
Aspartame is an artificial non-saccharide sweetener and it’s one of the most commonly used – and controversial currently on the market. In the European Union, it’s codified as E951, so if you’re aiming to avoid it, check products before you buy to see if they contain this number. It’s probably wise to give it a swerve – as research has indicated aspartame can cause migraines, insomnia, chest tightness, vision problems, and could cause healthy stomach bacteria to become diseased and invade the gut wall!
Sucralose has also been associated with its fair share of negative effects, from weight gain to increases in blood sugar and insulin. Studies performed on rats found it can upset the balance of the microbiome, causing increased levels of inflammation, which is damaging to the body. As there are so many risks associated with artificial sweeteners, it’s better to go natural if you want to lower your sugar intake but still have a sweet tooth. Next time you need a sugar fix, instead of adding yet more additives, reach for a healthier (and safe) alternative instead, such as honey.
