Will artificial sweeteners prevent fat loss diet?
Many claim that artificial sweeteners increase insulin production and elevate blood sugar. In the study attached to this blog some artificial sweeteners slightly elevate the blood sugar but strangely not the insulin levels.
But when it comes to artificial sweeteners however it is very unlikely that they will prevent fat loss because they have no calories and they have no effect on insulin.
Because there is no elevation of insulin there should not be any alteration of blood sugar that could affect hunger.
Artificial sweeteners and cancer
There has been shown to be an increase in cancer in animals at amounts of artificial sweeteners far greater in amounts than would occur in zero sugar soft drinks.
There is no definitive causality for artificial sweeteners and cancer.
Certainly cancer risk is elevated with obesity and with poor diet so fixing these issues first would be of much greater importance than removing artificial sweeteners.
Artificial sweeteners and Water
Many people when they are starting a nutrition plan to lose weight remove sugary drinks and sugary snacks but still have cravings for something sweet.
In this case zero calorie drinks with artificial sweeteners can be ok if it helps you get through cravings for coke and other sugary drinks or sugary treats.
The ideal situation would be drinking more water but as long as there are no cravings for sugary drinks then water is preferable. If not then Coke Zero or Pepsi Max are fine.
I will always recommend water to anyone I am helping to lose weight but I don’t believe in attempting to completely change a diet all at once if it leads to binging on sugary snacks.
This is a lifestyle change and attempting to change a diet all at once can be stressful and difficult. Especially breaking long term habits of drinking sugary drinks or eating sugary snacks.
Still enjoy your zero sugar drinks with artificial sweeteners. Especially if they help you to achieve your goals.
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