Why Do Artificial Sweeteners Raise Blood Sugar Levels & Sometimes Make It Hard To Lose Weight?

Did you hear about the latest research which strongly suggested that artificial sweeteners could raise a person's blood sugar levels more than if one indulged in sugar-sweetened sodas and desserts? 

This information can be very disturbing to people who eat or drink foods with aspartame, sucralose or saccharin to lose weight or control diabetes.  It is almost illogical.  How can consuming an item with zero calories cause weight gain and blood sugar to rise when technically nothing was consumed?

Many experts upon hearing about the study found it intriguing.  Some even mused that this may be the reason why people who consume large amounts of artificial sweeteners cannot seem to lose weight despite the amount of calories consumed being lower.

It seems the study found a link between the consumption of artificial sweeteners and their effect on the body's gut microorganisms, which are really bacteria that reside in the intestines.  These microorganisms help the body receive nutrition and bolster the immune system.  The artificial sweeteners alter the environment of the gut, weakening it and causing many health issues and dysfunctions.

In Ayurveda all of this makes perfect sense.  The health value of a food is judged on its effect on a person's individual body type.  Each food has its own taste, whether it be sweet, salty, bitter, astringent, pungent or sour.  Certain tastes are more in harmony with certain body types.  Too much sweet taste can harm one body type more than another.  However, meals should be balanced with all tastes represented in a way that suit a person's body type.

Even more importantly, food must be digested.  Digestion is one of the main pillars of health in Ayurveda.  Poor digestion means your body is nutritionally deficient and will eventually become imbalanced and ill.  Artificial sweeteners are a chemical that concentrates 'sweetness' in an unnatural way.  It is hard for the body to digest.  The body's struggle may be reflected in the weakening of gut microorganisms or in other ways.  Ayurveda recommends pure, natural and unprocessed food for better health.  This study with artificial sweeteners shows why the quality of our food is so essential to balance and good health.

Stay healthy & well,
Lisa