(NaturalHealth365) Many people seek out products with artificial sweeteners such as diet soda to help cut calories and maintain ideal weight.

Unfortunately, it turns out that artificially sweetened products can have quite the opposite effect. Despite their intent, one of the main disturbing artificial sweetener side effects is the accumulation of fat and unwanted weight gain.

Consumption of large amounts of sugar substitutes can actually lead to increased fat accumulation, according to several studies. This effect can be especially pronounced in individuals who are already obese.

Artificial sweeteners overstimulate and disrupt metabolism

These chemical sweeteners seem to wreak havoc on the body’s metabolic processes and cause them to become dysfunctional. Many of these sweeteners are also addictive. The current study results will be presented at the annual 2017 Endocrine Society meeting held in Orlando, Florida – its 99th meeting.

For the study, the artificial sweetener sucralose was tested on stem cells taken from human fat tissue. These cells have an ability to change into fat cells, muscle cells, cartilage or bone depending upon their environment.

The stem cells were placed into petri dishes with a dose of sucralose of a similar concentration as is found in the blood of persons who consume a high amount of beverages sweetened with artificial sweeteners – around four cans of diet soda each day.

Artificial sweeteners cause 2.5 times higher expression of taste receptors, triggering high blood glucose

After 12 days, the researchers found increased expression of genes indicating both inflammation and fat production. The investigators then conducted an analysis of abdominal fat biopsy samples from eight subjects who regularly consumed low-calorie sweeteners. Four of the subjects were obese, and four were a healthy weight.

The researchers found these subjects showed elevated expression of known fat-producing genes. They also showed increased glucose (sugar) transport into their cells compared with biopsies from subjects who avoided artificial sweeteners.

Many chemical sweeteners are several times sweeter than actual sugar. Persons who consume a lot of them are found to have an overexpression of their taste receptors for sweet foods – up to 2.5 times higher. This overexpression can trigger glucose production in the cells, elevating it in the bloodstream.

Aspartame side effects cause more than 75 percent of all food reaction complaints to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

All of these symptoms indicate metabolic dysregulation and increased fat cell production – the opposite of what diet soda drinkers are after. This increased uptake of glucose is especially problematic for persons with prediabetes or diabetes, as they already have elevated glucose levels.

In addition to triggering fat storage, aspartame side effects account for a staggering 75 percent of all reported adverse food reactions. These include headaches, dizziness, vision loss, memory loss, seizures, fatigue, cancer and even sudden death. “America’s Natural doctor” Mark Stengler, NMD calls aspartame “the most dangerous food additive” that has ever been approved for consumption by human beings.

While going back to sugar isn’t a good option either, those looking to cut their sugar intake should be aware of the potential side effects of aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium and other artificial sweeteners. If possible, use just small amounts of natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup. Try applesauce or mashed bananas in place of sugar when baking.

Sources for this article include:

MedicalXpress.com
MedicalNewsToday.com
NaturalHealth365.com