Low calorie artificial sweeteners and fat accumulation

Low calorie, artificial sweeteners including aspartame and sucralose are the subject of a new study presented at ENDO 2017, the Endocrine Society's 99th annual meeting in Florida this month. 

The study results confirm previous research that low calorie, artificial sweeteners are detrimental to the body's metabolism and may in fact promote fat accumulation, especially in those who are already obese.  Scientists tested artificial sweeteners on individuals and on stem cells, cells that could change into mature fat, muscle, cartilage or bone cells, taken from human fat tissue. 

The study found the consumption of low calorie artificial sweeteners is linked to metabolic dysfunction in which the cellular mechanisms are changed, producing more fat and allowing more glucose to enter cells, promoting inflammation.  This increase in uptake of glucose is very concerning for those who have diabetes. 

Note:  The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest and largest organisation of scientists devoted to hormone research and physicians working with hormone related conditions.