by Lynn Griffith
More and more Americans are dieting each year, resulting in a steady increase in revenue for the diet industry. As of 2012, Americans spent 65 billion dollars attempting to lose weight. One of the largest markets were diet soda, with Americans spending 21.15 billion dollars.
American’s spent 21.15 billion dollars on diet soda in 2012
Many people understand that high sugar intake is directly connected to weight gain and other health concerns. Many people turn to diet soda and artificial sweeteners believing that these items will benefit their health and weight loss goals. However, the research shows that artificial sweeteners will not help you lose weight and can increase your chance to developing diabetes, cancer, and irritable bowel disease.
Artificial sweetened beverages linked to increase risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes
A 2013 study showed that both sugar-sweetened beverages and artificial sweetened beverages were linked to an increase risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Another study examined the long-term relationship between 3,682 individuals and artificial sweetener. The study showed that those who drink artificially sweetened beverages had a 47 percent higher increase in BMI than those who did not.
Ground-breaking research found that artificial sweetener, Splenda, may cause diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and increase your risk of cancer. Many people in the diabetes community were told by Splenda that it would not affect their blood sugar or metabolism. The ingredients that make up splenda is chlorine, dextrose, and maltodextrin (a GMO corn derivative). Splenda is made by replacing hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms. As a result, it is possible to get chlorine poisoning and cellular toxicity related to continual use of this product.
Regular use of Splenda can result in chlorine poisoning and cellular toxicity leading to Type 2 Diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Cancer
A study published in the Diabetes Care journal found that daily consumption of diet soda is associated with 36 percent increased risk of metabolic syndrome and 67 percent greater risk of type 2 diabetes. It was also found that artificial sweeteners or sucralose destroys the probiotics within the body and can result in digestive disorders such as IBS or leaky gut.
A study completed by Xin Qin Md, PhD from New Jersey Medical School found that utilizing Splenda causes IBS, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Dr. Qin made this discovery while studying the rapid increase of IBS among residents of Alberta, Canada. It was discovered that over a 20 year time period, the rate of IBS increased by 643 percent! It was found that sucralose is more determinate on gut bacteria than other artificial sweeteners. It was also discovered that the body is unable to digest sucralose, having it pass through the body unaltered leaving behind damages in the intestinal walls that can result in leaky gut.
Studies from Duke University confirmed this research finding that Splenda not only reduces the beneficial bacteria in the gut but also increases the bodies fecal pH. Not only does Splenda result in digestive distress it is also linked to increase risk of cancer due to its ingredient profile.
The Merk Manual and OSHA Hazardous Waste Handbook reports that chlorine is a carcinogenic meaning that regular consumption, inhalation or absorption through the skin can result in cancer. If you are exposed to a small amount of chlorine occasionally, the body is able to eliminate the chlorine through the bowels, kidney’s and liver, but consuming it daily could increase your cancer risk.
Another study published in Toxicology and Environmental Health found that with Splenda is brought to high temperatures it generates chloropropanols, which is a toxin linked to cancer. Cooking with Splenda will increase the risk of harm to the body.
If your seeking an alternative sweetener, consider natural forms of stevia. Stevia has shown in studies to reduce feelings of hunger and calorie intake. Researchers have also found that stevia reduces post-meal glucose levels and helps to normalize blood sugar and reduce your risk for diabetes.
Sources included:
(1) http://www.fitnessforweightloss.com/diet-and-weight-loss-statistics/
(2) https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/artificial-sweeteners/
(3) https://draxe.com/splenda-linked-diabetes-ibs-cancer/
