Popular Sugar Substitute May Be Fueling Hunger
Splenda may not directly add calories to your diet, but it could still contribute to weight gain by increasing appetite, according to a new study published in Nature Metabolism. The study suggests that the artificial sweetener, particularly sucralose, might trigger hunger and lead to overeating. Dr. Kathleen Page, from the University of Southern California Diabetes and Obesity Research Center, explained that sucralose confuses the brain by delivering sweetness without the expected calories, which could alter how the brain processes cravings over time.
Around 40% of Americans use sugar substitutes as a way to reduce sugar intake, but researchers questioned whether these alternatives actually help with weight control. To investigate, they conducted a study with 75 participants, analyzing their responses to water, a sucralose-sweetened drink, and a sugary drink. Participants underwent MRI scans, blood tests, and reported their hunger levels before and after consuming each beverage.
The results showed that sucralose increased activity in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls appetite, and strengthened connections with other brain regions involved in motivation and sensory processing. Sucralose also heightened feelings of hunger more than the sugary drink, especially in participants with obesity. Blood tests revealed that sugar consumption raised levels of insulin and GLP-1, hormones that regulate hunger, while sucralose did not have the same effect.
The findings suggest that sucralose could influence eating behavior, particularly in people with obesity, by failing to signal the brain to reduce hunger. Dr. Page emphasized the need for further research to explore whether these changes in brain and hormone activity lead to long-term effects on weight. She also highlighted concerns about the potential impact of sugar substitutes on children and teenagers, whose developing brains may be more susceptible to these effects.
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