Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar? (2024)

FAQs

Artificial sweeteners: Any effect on blood sugar? ›

Artificial sweeteners do not enter the blood stream and do not raise blood sugar directly. Instead, they stay in the digestive tract until they pass in the stool.

Sugar substitutes don't affect your blood sugar level. In fact, most artificial sweeteners are considered "free foods." Free foods contain less than 20 calories and 5 grams or less of carbohydrates, and they don't count as calories or carbohydrates on a diabetes exchange.

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that does not raise blood sugar levels. Stevia and monk fruit extract are natural sugar-free sweeteners that are often combined with other low-calorie sweeteners to enhance their sweetness.

Bottom Line: Sucralose and saccharin may raise insulin levels in humans, but the results are mixed and some studies find no effects. Acesulfame-K raises insulin in rats, but no human studies are available.

Or even better yet — no added sugar. That's your absolute best bet. “Really, both sugar and artificial sweeteners are a problem for your health,” says functional medicine specialist Melissa Young, MD. “But if we're comparing what's worse, artificial sweeteners are far worse than sugar.”

Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar and has a negligible effect on blood glucose levels, and it is suggested for use so that T2D can control carbohydrate intake and blood glucose levels.

The Health Concerns: Why Did the FDA Have Issues with Stevia? Stevia was initially banned because some highly alarming early studies suggested that the sweetener might be linked to cancer. There were also other concerns about the sweet compounds in stevia leaves, known as steviol glycosides.

Erythritol. Erythritol is a type of sugar alcohol that has almost no calories. It's found naturally in some fruits and fermented foods but is also manufactured for use as a sweetener. It's the best replacement for sugar, regulating blood sugar levels and promotes better weight management.

Stevia and monk fruit are both naturally derived from plants and some people feel they have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. The FDA says these sweeteners are “generally regarded as safe,” which means they are safe to use for their intended purpose.

Which artificial sweetener is closest to real sugar? ›

Monk Fruit Sweetener: Often blended with erythritol, monk fruit delivers a sugar-like texture and sweetness, which makes it an excellent low carb sugar substitute for baking. Xylitol: Its granular form and sweetness closely mimics that of sugar, making xylitol a popular choice for a variety of uses.

Stevia is suitable for those with diabetes and is a safe alternative to sugar.

Used sparingly, honey can be part of a healthy, balanced diet for people living with diabetes. But it's good practice to get into the habit of limiting honey and any added sugar as much as possible. More than focussing on an individual ingredient, think about what you eat for each meal as a whole.

If you are living with diabetes, you can drink co*ke Zero, along with any other sugar-free beverages you enjoy. That said, it's always a good idea to drink diet sodas like co*ke Zero in moderation. As much as possible, choose water as your go-to beverage.

Some research on long-term, daily use of artificial sweeteners suggests a link to a higher risk of stroke, heart disease and death overall.

So is there a definitive answer to which is healthier, honey or sugar? Both should be consumed in limited amounts. Honey may have a slight edge, but excess consumption of either is more dangerous to your health than the advantage of choosing one over the other.

Although research is still ongoing, aspartame is often accused of contributing to many long-term health concerns. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified aspartame as a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning it can potentially cause cancer in humans.

Summary. Drinking water won't lower your blood sugar levels, but staying hydrated can help you manage them if you have diabetes. Regularly drinking enough water is healthy, and research has linked it to a reduced risk of high blood sugar and diabetes.

Blood sugar, insulin, and A1C. Diet soda is popular for people with diabetes. Diet soda doesn't directly impact your blood sugar or A1C levels, but people who are overweight and have a lot of blood sugar may have a sugar response to artificial sweeteners, which in turn causes a rise in blood sugar.

What artificial sweeteners should you avoid? ›

These side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms [9], neurologic [10] and taste perception changes [11], allergic reactions [12], insulin and metabolic effects [13], and cardiovascular effects [14]. In addition, ASs have been shown to affect the gut microbiota that may mediate certain side effects [15].

Results obtained showed that regular co*ke fed group exhibited significantly high blood glucose concentration (p < 0.05) while co*ke zero and water fed groups showed no significant difference (p> 0.05).