Aspartame Used in Low-Calorie Drinks Does More Harm Than Good

Low-Calorie drinks are often opted by people who wants to lose weight but can't seem to kick off the soda craving on their daily diet. Though aspartame may sound like the best option for weight loss, it was mentioned that it can actually do more harm than good.

 Doctors from Massachusetts General Hospital published their research in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, where it was mentioned that using the sugar substitute known as aspartame does not promote weight loss, and can actually harm the body according to Express.

"Sugar substitutes like aspartame are designed to promote weight loss and decrease the incidence of metabolic syndrome, but a number of clinical and epidemiologic studies have suggested that these products don't work very well and may actually make things worse," Richard Hodin, MD, of the MGH Department of Surgery, the study's senior author of the study stated during his interview.

Richard Hodin also added that aspartame blocks IAP which is said to possibly prevent obesity. It was then added that aspartame prohibits the beneficial aspects of IAP even if it is said to substitute sugar.

"People do not really understand why these artificial sweeteners don't work,"Holdin added. "There has been some evidence that they actually can make you more hungry and may be associated with increased calorie consumption.While we can't rule out other contributing mechanisms, our experiments clearly show that aspartame blocks IAP activity, independent of other effects."

Aspartame is strongly believed to aid in weight loss, but Healthline listed a few side effects that can potentially harm the body. FDA did approve artificial sweeteners, but it was mentioned that the daily maximum intake should only be 50 milligrams per kilogram of the individual's body weight.

What are your stand in regards to artificial sweeteners and its effects on the body? Do let us know through the comment section below.