# Recent article on artifical sweetners
**URL:** https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422
**Category:** Type 1 & LADA
**Created:** [December 17, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422 "2022-12-17T16:24:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/1 "2022-12-17T16:24:04Z")
I have not dug into the specifics of the study. And sometimes studies can be totally bogus. But this claim was of interest and I wanted to share it.
Here is the relevant paragraph:
> The study’s findings were striking. Two sweeteners (aspartame and stevia) were found to have no significant effect on blood sugar. However, the other two (sucralose and saccharin) raised blood sugar in all participants who consumed them. (Within the sucralose group, some participants’ blood sugar levels reacted much more strongly than others, suggesting that physical responses to certain sweeteners may be highly personalised.)
Here is the article. Unfortunately I could not find any specifics on the study, just a synopsis.
> **[The price of ‘sugar free’: are sweeteners as harmless as we thought?](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/dec/08/artificial-sweeteners-price-of-sugar-free-are-they-as-harmless-as-we-thought?utm_source=Six%2BMinute%2BMile&utm_campaign=6f98381d9a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_07_28_03_29_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6e5b2f993e-6f98381d9a-6427069)**
>
> The long read: We know we need to cut down on sugar. But replacing it with artificial compounds isn’t necessarily the answer
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### Author:  [@Mariethm](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Mariethm)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2022, 6:05pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/2 "2022-12-17T18:05:48Z")
I found a couple, but you need to login to the journal to see the whole thing.
> **[Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human...](https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(22)00919-9?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0092867422009199%3Fshowall%3Dtrue)**
>
> A study of the effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human metabolism as well as
> their microbiomes reveals how these can induce individual-specific, microbiome-dependent
> changes to glycemic responses, warranting follow-up clinical studies to...
> **[Non-nutritive sweeteners affect human microbiomes and can alter glycemic...](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220819112526.htm)**
>
> Since the late 1800s non-nutritive sweeteners have promised to deliver all the sweetness of sugar with none of the calories. They have long been believed to have no effect on the human body, but researchers challenge this notion by finding that these...
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### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2022, 6:29pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/3 "2022-12-17T18:29:28Z")
@Mariethm, I could not find anything that described _how_ they did the study. They are asking me to pay to read it. Seems like an odd way of doing science. 🤷♂️
_Christopher Columbus, 530 years ago…Hey, the earth is not as flat as you may think! If you subscribe to my page, I will tell you what I have found._
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### Author:  [@Mariethm](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Mariethm)
#### Post date: [December 17, 2022, 6:55pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/4 "2022-12-17T18:55:27Z")
🙃 I had found a kind of more in-depth article, but I lost it. And the SD one is citing the 2014 study. Bleh. This one at least outlines how they did it a bit.
That’s enough googling for now. Back to cookies!
> **[Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human...](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35987213/)**
>
> Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are commonly integrated into human diet and presumed to be inert; however, animal studies suggest that they may impact the microbiome and downstream glycemic responses. We causally assessed NNS impacts in humans and...
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### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2022, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/5 "2022-12-18T00:40:42Z")
There is a similar idea that has been floating around the athletic community for several years. The idea that simply putting a sweet drink in your mouth and spitting it out gave the body a “perception” of carbs and gave the body some small benefit.
I wonder if that is somewhat similar to the effect they are describing with the artificial sweeteners.
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### Author:  [@CatLady](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CatLady)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2022, 3:31pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/6 "2022-12-18T15:31:04Z")
Somewhere along my D journey, I was advised to count 50% of sugar alcohols as carbs. I generally avoid artificial sweeteners because I don’t like the aftertaste.
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### Author:  [@Marie](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Marie)
#### Post date: [December 18, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/7 "2022-12-18T20:57:23Z")
@CatLady That’s because sugar alcohols actually still contain carbs/calories. Some more than others. Of sugar alcohols, Erythritol is the only one that has almost no calories and hence almost no carbs. Aspartame is not a sugar alcohol but is not really recommended to use as it has all sorts of issues associated with it, one of the most complained about food ingredients to the FDA (75%).
> **[Sugar alcohol: Types, benefits, and risks](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320901#how-do-they-differ)**
>
> Learn all about sugar alcohols, a substitute for sugar. We look at their uses, possible benefits and risks, and how they differ from standard sugars.
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### Author:  [@Hammer](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Hammer)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2022, 4:48am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/9 "2022-12-22T04:48:09Z")
I use monkfruit substitutes when I HAVE to make something that is sweet (hot chocolate with unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and monkfruit type sweeteners.)
The one I use has Erythritol and monkfruit as the only two ingredients. And Erythritol is the lowest carb version on that list.
And I honestly don’t use it very often (rarely is a more apt description.) But I know it doesn’t mess with my BG when I use it.
I stay away from almost any artificial sweetener that I can. I would rather have nothing sweet, or a small taste/bite of something that has real sugar.
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### Author:  [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)
#### Post date: [December 22, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/10 "2022-12-22T17:25:35Z")
We have had a lot of luck just reducing the sugar in recipes by 1/2 to 2/3rds. They still taste awesome, especially when your taste buds have adapted to eating less sugar. The carb differences between the sugar vs the sugar substitute versions aren’t all that different then. We do have a couple of recipes that are awesome that use sugar substitutes, but for the most part we just use sugar.
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### Author:  [@MsCris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MsCris)
#### Post date: [December 24, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/11 "2022-12-24T16:55:16Z")
Erythritol, in me, requires an almost 1:1 bolus as sucrose. Xylitol half. I’ll chew gum with xylitol, but that’s about it.
But I have avoided all sugar alcohols since I figured out my responses very early on.
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### Author:  [@MsCris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MsCris)
#### Post date: [December 24, 2022, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/12 "2022-12-24T17:03:02Z")
Early on in my diagnosis, I noticed that “diet” sodas, with either aspartame or Splenda, would raise my BG. At first I thought it was the caffeine, but when I drank caffeine-free versions, same response.
And then I noticed that when I drank diet soda with food, I had to increase my bolus, as compared to same food with water! Splenda/sucralose was worse. I read a study on that in the NIH.
So, I stopped all artificial, as well as sugar alcohols.
Monk fruit and allulose are my go-to. Stevia sometimes, but I don’t like the aftertaste. None of these raise my BG, ever.
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### Author:  [@Marie](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Marie)
#### Post date: [December 25, 2022, 7:43am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/13 "2022-12-25T07:43:48Z")
@MsCris I use Stevia the most, sometimes Monk Fruit. There really is a big flavor difference in the Stevia powders.
Personally at home I like to use NuNaturals Stevia in packets or powder. For guests I use 3/4 Stevia, then add 1/4 raw sugar so it has the "flavor"of sugar. The Stevia liquid I really like is Sweetleaf. I use a lot of the chocolate flavored one if I drink coffee or to make chocolate milk. But they have a pretty good range of flavors. Kal also has some pretty good flavors in the liquid.
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### Author:  [@MsCris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MsCris)
#### Post date: [December 26, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/14 "2022-12-26T22:04:23Z")
Thanks @Marie ! I’ve tried all those brands and forms, and flavored drops. I wasted a lot of money trying!
While I can tolerate the stevia flavor better in cold foods/drinks, it still has an aftertaste I dislike. In baked goods or hot drinks, forget it - breaks down too much.
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### Author:  [@TomH](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TomH)
#### Post date: [March 5, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/15 "2023-03-05T20:15:52Z")
Apparently they’ve found problems with erythritol, common sugar alcohol used with Stevia and other “low carb” sugar replacements…so we’ve all got the goin’ for us!
Saw this referenced on a TuDiabetes email catch up today. If previously posted, my apoligies, I didn’t find it on a search. The study dates to last July; I didn’t recall it. The study wasn’t looking at erythritol, it was looking for compounds correlated to heart attacks, but found a significant correlation (not causality) of erythritol use with heart attack and stroke risk on the order of double the rate.
Guess I’ll not be eating that big a$$ chocolate bar from Trader Joes! And…the good news just keeps on coming… Sometimes you’re looking for the bright side when frying pan knocks you out, but better to be aware of the potential and take precautions if warranted. Please tell me someone’s debunked this “news!” Anyone? Anyone at all?
[https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02223-9.epdf?sharing\_token=PpC\_k3aiPy-oT69PTpDXStRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MTnVt\_Yzm2YDkmKtSZJOysYZlROr0ymfAdj9yPHH8bMVWpKjhPzPeMT8zTG9DpNMmnfRfOqNqOH8PhwI2X9sxfHMa-Tpawl-dyIWq9WdTUO2lqDJWIHLoFK3aG5AGi1YgCjfb9yXcNSsIXHAKWCRr0FiKNB69Amp6ioJyPKXRHnw%3D%3D&tracking\_referrer=www.cnn.com](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02223-9.epdf?sharing_token=PpC_k3aiPy-oT69PTpDXStRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0MTnVt_Yzm2YDkmKtSZJOysYZlROr0ymfAdj9yPHH8bMVWpKjhPzPeMT8zTG9DpNMmnfRfOqNqOH8PhwI2X9sxfHMa-Tpawl-dyIWq9WdTUO2lqDJWIHLoFK3aG5AGi1YgCjfb9yXcNSsIXHAKWCRr0FiKNB69Amp6ioJyPKXRHnw%3D%3D&tracking_referrer=www.cnn.com)
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### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [March 5, 2023, 9:20pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/16 "2023-03-05T21:20:40Z")
> [@TomH](#):
>
> Please tell me someone’s debunked this “news!” Anyone? Anyone at all?
I did see a doctor say it was somewhat bogus. I can try to find the link and post it.
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### Author:  [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 1:51pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/17 "2023-03-06T13:51:39Z")
@TomH,
Here is the link I saw.
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SCaRG3jqS0)
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### Author:  [@TomH](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TomH)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 2:42pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/18 "2023-03-06T14:42:08Z")
@Eric If you happen to come by anything, thanks; but don’t go to any effort. It seems one study finds things “bad” and the next finds them “ok” or even “good” for you. I think it’s a personal choice until something definitive comes along (though a 2x greater risk finding is substantial). I’m still on the hunt for a sugar substitute that is sweet without an added flavor or bitterness; mostly for adding to coffee, tea, oatmeal, or my annual fruit-cake baking so I can have some. I use Splenda for the convenience, though it also has some bitter after taste. Most xylitol and erythritol just make my mouth/tongue feel “cool” vice sweetened, most stevia’s are a mix with the other two or have flavor I don’t care for (if I wanted flavored coffee/tea I’d drink flavored coffee/tea. Se la…all I want is all I want! 😇
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### Author:  [@needlesandmath](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/needlesandmath)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 2:59pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/19 "2023-03-06T14:59:17Z")
There is a twitter thread on this article here:
>
I haven’t but skimmed the paper and the thread, and I don’t know Guess’s work, so I can’t vouch for any of this. The points she makes about preregistration endpoints are good ones. I also often find papers in Nature and Science in fields that I work in to be questionable (don’t get me started on PNAS).
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### Author:  [@TomH](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/TomH)
#### Post date: [March 6, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/recent-article-on-artifical-sweetners/13422/20 "2023-03-06T16:50:18Z")
@Eric Thanks for the link/video! Seems like a reasonable take on the study…more to do as the authors pointed out. As usual, seems the media jumped on and sensationalized as much as they could (have you noticed how “weather” is part of the nightly new along with dx millions of people in its path?). I didn’t see/read any of th media reports, just the TUDiabetes post. I wasn’t racing to throw out the various supplies containing it or the pure stuff we bought to test, bake with, use intermittently anyway. And, in some degree, I figure I’m 68+ and nothing seems to have killed me yet, so…. Now…where’s that piece of wood I’m supposed to knock on….