Aspartame, stevia, and other sweeteners don’t have the promised effect on weight. Instead of promoting weight loss, they are associated with an increased risk of putting on weight.
Avoid sodas… and their light alternatives! Contrary to the promises posted on their labels, sweeteners do not help with weight loss. It would even be the opposite, according to a review of the literature carried out by the University of Manitoba (Canada). Published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, it shows that in the long term, the products light promote weight gain.
One in five French people consume aspartame-based products at least once a week. Across the Atlantic, the trend is even more marked: 30% of the population absorbs it every day. The main argument: these products make it possible to limit sugar intake, and therefore weight gain.
More weight
But nothing in the scientific literature seems to confirm this claim. “Despite the fact that millions of people regularly consume sweeteners, few patients have been included in clinical trials that evaluate these products,” notes Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, co-author of the journal.
Canadian researchers therefore sifted through the results of 37 studies, including a total of 400,000 participants. Their conclusion is clear: aspartame, sucralose or stevia do not help with weight loss. Worse, they promote long-term weight gain. Without being able to establish a link with obesity, an increase in waist circumference is evident. The longer the consumption lasts, the stronger this bond.
And the deleterious effects of sweeteners don’t end there. The review of the literature also highlights a link with metabolic disorders. For each daily serving, the relative risk of diabetes increases by 3%.
Heart at risk
On the other hand, these substances do not seem to have an impact on insulin resistance, glucose tolerance or glycated hemoglobin. These parameters are markers of disease severity.
The heart also pays a heavy price for this substitution. Consumption of sweeteners increases the risk of developing high blood pressure or having a stroke by 13%. The probability of developing acute cardiovascular disease is increased by 32%.
These results should encourage taking precautions, according to the authors. “We invite consumers to be cautious in that the long-term effects of sweeteners have not been fully elucidated”, insists Dr Meghan Azad, also a signatory of the work.
Accentuate research
While sweeteners cannot directly explain the emergence of these pathologies, this is not the first time that a doubt has been raised. In March 2017, a French cohort (E3N) reported the same link. Women consumers were 83% more at risk of diabetes.
“More research is needed to understand the long-term effects of these products, as well as their benefits,” admits Dr Meghan Azad. But avenues have already been put forward on the subject. Studies have already suggested a deleterious impact of sweeteners on metabolism, the intestinal microbiota or even appetite control.
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