ARE SUGAR SUBSTITUTES WORTH THE TRADEOFF?
Know the Facts About Artificial Sweeteners
The U.S. market for soda is worth over $200 billion, fueled by the average American’s annual consumption of nearly 40 gallons of soft drinks — including diet soda. While staying hydrated is good, sending lots of chemical sweeteners into our digestive tracts may not be. Concern for serious health issues started in the early 1970s when scientists linked cyclamate and saccharine, popular synthetic sweeteners, to cancer. Congress banned cyclamate but wouldn’t ban saccharine. More recent studies determined that obesity is related to many types of cancer, and obese people are more likely to consume lots of diet soda. Similarly, high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes are more likely due to underlying health issues like excessive weight than consuming artificial sweeteners. In the last decade, more natural sugar alternatives have become available, like stevia, agave, monk fruit, and allulose. Diet soda manufacturers have yet to incorporate these into
their soft drinks, but they are experimenting. The Coca- Cola Company uses stevia along with erythritol (another new sugar substitute) in its Vitamin Water Zero. Artificial sweeteners do provide some benefits, including fewer cavities, lower blood sugar, and less weight gain. However, some people still suffer side effects from drinking diet soda. The sugar alcohols in diet sodas are linked to intestinal distress, and one scientist points to a potential link between laboratory-created sweeteners and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The importance of our stomach’s microbiome is new to science, and all impacts are under intense scrutiny. Sugar-free beverages may be a better choice than sugar- infused drinks because they don’t cause insulin spikes, but the Mayo Clinic warns that frequent consumption of any type of sweetened drink can become habit-forming, making it hard to return to drinking plain water, which is the optimal choice for health. As with most food trends, we should be informed, listen to our bodies, and make wise choices about what we drink and eat.
CLIENT SUCCESS STORIES
“Coming to Horizon PT has been the best decision I have ever made concerning my physical health. From the moment I walked in, I knew I would be cared for well. I am in awe of my results. Dr. Jerome Adams and his staff are simply amazing! Not only is everyone warm and friendly, but the detailed care and time they invest in each and every patient, including myself, is superior. Thank you, Dr. Adams; it is because of your vast knowledge, skill, and know-how that my quality of life is so much better now. I am sincerely grateful. Special shout out to Austin. If you’re in need of physical therapy, look no further. Try Horizon Physical Therapy; it will transform your life in the best ways. You will not regret it!” –Yasha S.
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