Don’t be fooled by health food imposters – these healthiest alternative could hike your blood sugar levels, worsen insulin resistance, and alter your gut, According to New Findings

Are diet drinks really healthier? The biggest food myths, busted by experts from London Medical Laboratory.

While traditionally sugary drinks like colas are linked to health issues, including obesity and diabetes, new studies suggest that diet variants with artificial sweeteners might not be the safe alternatives many believed.

It’s widely accepted that regular fizzy drinks can increase the risk of health conditions like diabetes. Drinking just one can a day can up the risk of type 2 diabetes by 26%. These drinks lead to a surge in blood sugar levels, causing fatigue and increased appetite.

Previously, sugar-free versions were hailed as the healthier option. These have been especially popular among the 4.3 million diabetics in the UK, who often avoid sugary beverages. However, recent research is painting a different picture.

Dr. Avinash Hari Narayanan, a top specialist at London Medical Laboratory, voiced concerns about the potential risks of diet drinks. He indicated that these beverages might not only pose challenges to diagnosed diabetics but also affect a large number of undiagnosed individuals.

“Increasingly, diabetics and health-conscious people have turned to sugar-free versions of their favourite drinks. However, our analysis of the latest research finds that saccharin and sucralose are likely to increase blood sugar or glucose levels and adversely impact the gut microbiome (the collection of organisms that live in our digestive tracts).”

Many have switched to sugar-free drinks, assuming they’re better. But studies, including one from John Hopkins University, found that sweeteners like saccharin and sucralose can cause significant blood sugar spikes in even healthy individuals. The researchers attribute this to alterations in gut bacteria influenced by these sweeteners.

In line with this, a 2022 study in the “Microorganisms” journal reported that sucralose might cause gut imbalances and impact glucose and insulin levels in healthy young adults. Moreover, other sweeteners, such as aspartame, are also under scrutiny. They might interfere with glucose, insulin, and specific appetite-controlling hormones.

The underlying reasons for some of these findings remain under discussion. A captivating study from 2020, featured in the “Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care,” delved into the theory that consuming artificial sweeteners might inadvertently trigger the pancreas to release insulin because of their sweet flavor.

This surge in insulin levels could, over time, lead to a reduction in receptor responsiveness, resulting in insulin resistance.

“Alarming discoveries like these latest artificial sweetener findings emphasize why Britain’s 4.3 million diabetics need regular, accurate blood testing.”

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