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Research indicates that a commonly used sugar substitute, present in many low-calorie sodas and ketchup, might be misleading your brain into prompting you to eat more.

Researchers from the University of Southern California
California
discovered that ingesting a widely-used zero-calorie sweetener increased activity in the brain’s ‘appetite centers.’

They mentioned that this confuses the organs because it creates an expectation for additional calories that never arrive.

The researchers proposed that this discrepancy might lead to increased hunger and a desire for additional food.

The specialists, after conducting an experiment involving 75 participants, discovered that this impact was more pronounced among individuals who are obese.

Their discoveries are reportedly significant due to the large number of people who opt for ‘diet’ or ‘sugar-free’ items in an effort to achieve or maintain slenderness.

Dr Kathleen Alanna Page, who specializes in hormone-related matters,
diabetes
and an author of the study, said the sweetener creates a ‘mismatch’ in the brain.

“If your body anticipates calories due to the sweet taste but fails to receive the expected calories, this might alter how your brain becomes conditioned to desire these substances over time,” she explained.

In their research paper, which appeared in the journal
Nature Metabolism
, researchers examined the reactions of 75 participants when they consumed three different beverages on distinct days.

One of the liquids was simply tap water, another had been mixed with the artificial sweetener sucralose, and the final one included sugar.

Each participant underwent MRI scans of their brain, provided blood samples, and completed a hunger questionnaire both before and after consuming each beverage.

The scans showed heightened activity in the hypothalamus region of the brain among participants who consumed the sucralose solutions.

This component of the organ manages background bodily functions like temperature regulation, fatigue, and importantly, hunger cues.

The scans indicated that sucralose resulted in enhanced connectivity between the hypothalamus and various regions of the brain associated with motivation and decision-making processes.

These impacts were notably significant among individuals who were obese.

Dr Page indicated that this implies the sweetener might affect cravings and eating habits.

The blood test outcomes indicated yet another mechanism through which sucralose might affect hunger impulses.

When subjects consumed the actual sugary drink, researchers noted that the body released hormones associated with decreased hunger.

However, these hormones were absent when participants drank sucralose.

Dr. Page stated, “The body utilizes these hormones to signal the brain that you’ve taken in calories, thereby reducing your appetite.”

‘Sucralose did not exhibit that effect—moreover, the variations in hormonal responses to sucralose versus sugar were even more significant among participants who had obesity.’

The 75 participants were nearly evenly divided based on gender, featuring a balanced representation of individuals who were healthy, overweight, and obese.

Dr. Page mentioned that an area requiring deeper investigation was the observation that women experienced more significant alterations in their brain activity following the consumption of sucralose.

The team are now planning a follow-up study on exploring the impact of calorie-free sweeteners like sucralose on children.

Sucralose was discovered accidentally by a British scientist during routine experiments in the 70s.

It is about 600 times sweeter than sugar but contains virtually no calories.

Although this research indicates a connection between zero-calorie sweeteners and heightened hunger as well as weight gain, some studies have reported contrasting outcomes.

A study from British researchers released last year discovered that when included in meals, zero-calorie sweeteners trigger the same appetite-suppressing hormones as sugar does.

Nonetheless, some research has indicated that sucralose may elevate quantities of a protein known as GLUT4, which encourages the buildup of fat within our cells. These alterations are linked to a heightened likelihood of developing obesity.

Experts consider sugar substitutes as alternatives to sugar that do not carry the same risks of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and strokes, along with issues such as weight gain and tooth decay.

In England, currently one out of every four adults is considered obese, whereas slightly more than three out of five are classified as overweight.

However, four out of five adults are either overweight or obese in some areas of the country.

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