Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose provide the seductive taste of sweetness without the calories contained in sugar – a seeming win-win for people who need to control their blood sugar and insulin levels or weight.
Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose provide the seductive taste of sweetness without the calories contained in sugar – a seeming win-win for people who need to control their blood sugar and insulin levels or weight.
However, simply tasting or consuming sucralose may affect blood glucose and insulin levels on glucose tolerance tests, scientists at the University of Illinois found in a new study.
The findings suggest that despite having no calories, sucralose may have metabolic effects in some users, said M. Yanina Pepino, a professor of food science and human nutrition at the U. of I., who led the research.
“The most important take-home message is that sweet taste in itself may have an impact on carbohydrate metabolism and glucose control,” Pepino said. “Even though the sample population in our study was small, the findings add to a body of evidence that suggests sweetness should be consumed in moderation, regardless of the calories.”
Read more at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau
Image: New research led by professor of food science and human nutrition M. Yanina Pepino, left, suggests that just tasting something sweet, such as the artificial sweetener sucralose, may affect insulin levels and insulin sensitivity. Graduate student Clara Salame was a co-author of the study. (Credit: Photo by Fred Zwicky)
