A recent study has shown that when rats are fed on these sugar substitutes they still gain weight consistently- this indeed has bewildered researchers.
A team of scientists from the Purdue University now in USA believe that a zero calorie sweetener can actually increase the body's craving for extra food. This research has been published in Behavioral Neuroscience a journal stating that some rats fed with sugar consequently had lower lesser appetites. But nutritionists still argue over their theory that low calorie artificial sweeteners are undoubtedly the best and health-friendly as well.
As per the conventional wisdom, artificial sweeteners are the main ingredient of a diet meant to control calories and these can also assist in losing body weight as well as keeping it off totally. But the Purdue University's study has turned the conventional wisdom theory upside down.
While carrying out the research they gave yoghurt to rats some of the yoghurt was sweetened with sugar while for the rest saccharin was used. The rats were divided into two groups and fed and then were supplied with food in abundance. The researchers awaited the result.
It was observed that the mice fed on saccharin or artificial sugar consumed more calories than the ones fed on real sugar. They ate more, gained more fat and weight than their counterparts who were fed with sugar.
Artificial sweeteners are now consumed by people all across the globe and these products have gained tremendous importance over time. As most Americans are on the verge of obesity, they leave no stones unturned to look for convenient methods of weight loss. Exercise might be slightly difficult for them and so they opt for these, thought to be quick and potent weight loss options.
Dieting has been known to be a common weight loss technique, but specialists aver led out this idea. Today people are advised to eat healthy and right and to exercise and shed those oodles of pounds. Most of these diets comprise of artificial sweeteners as sugar is said to very fattening and can also lead to diabetes.
Most of the diabetic patients opt for artificial sweeteners as they are not allowed to consume sugar. But artificial sweeteners are said to be very harmful for health. Though it has been regarded as the most potent weight loss diet supplement, but its effects are being opposed by various researches being conducted these days.
USA allows Saccharin, Aspartame, Acesulfame potassium, Neotame, Sucralose and Cyclamte to be sold in the state.
Studies conducted during the 1970s have shown probable links of saccharin with bladder cancer in rats. This led to the warning label on saccharin: "Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin, which is determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals." Consecutive studies on rats have proved time and again that higher doses of saccharin can also aggravate cancer in rats.
So ten it is evident that artificial sweeteners have no impact on weight loss, but might make your body vulnerable to cancer.
"The data clearly indicate that consuming a food sweetened with no-calorie saccharin can lead to greater body-weight gain and adiposity than would consuming the same food sweetened with higher calorie sugar" - was stated in the journal written by the researchers.
