An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

[Chris]

I just read Wikipedia's article on the Atkins approach, and afterward began reading some of the discussion threads. In one discussion, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:At...ach#Heavy_Bias they were talking about artificial sweetners.

Here's the part I found fascinating:

I'm sure there's a great impact on blood sugar though. --Cyberman 23:14, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

Yes, there is. At first, the sweet taste acts on the CNS, hunger is reduced and the metabolism speeds up (this is normal to happen when the body was in a state of hunger and is now anticipating carbohydrate uptake). Blood sugar increases. But the carbohydrates don't come, and a rebound occurs. Metabolism (and thus caloric usage) slows, blood sugar decreases, and hunger sets in again and is actually reinforced (sometimes greatly, depending on timing).

The livestock industry utilizes this effect by using artificial sweeteners as appetizers to assist in cramming. The idea is:

1. Let animals develop hunger.
2. Feed low-energy sweetened food.
3. Wait until rebound occurs - this puts animals in a food craze.
4. Then quickly feed large amounts of high-energy feeding stuff.

In other words, artificial sweeteners can be used to induce binge eating. Aragorn2 18:47, 29 March 2006 (UTC)

[sallyann]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

Thanks for this posting Chris. I find that really incredible, would it apply to all
sweetners do you think?

Sally

[Chris]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

Thanks for this posting Chris. I find that really incredible, would it apply to all
sweetners do you think?

Sally

I suspect that 2Big would know more about this than anyone else, here, but, my guess would be that it would apply to all non-caloric sweetners. After all, the sweet taste makes you think you're getting sugar, but you're not, no matter which sweetner it might be.

Another guess is that the problem would most often occur when consuming a low-cal (or no-cal) food or drink on an empty stomach.

In other words, if you're going to drink a diet soda, have it with food, or shortly after having eaten.

[not2late]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

That reminds me of when I briefly went to school in the Mid West. I was in class, sitting between two former farmboys. The lecture was on the brand new food pyramid and how it differed from the out-dated food square. When the professor explained the 9-11 servings of grains daily, one guy said to the other, "Hey, isn't that how we fatten the hogs?" The other replied, "Yeah."

[iyamamaschke]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

I know this is a very true statement in my case I gave up the artificial sweeteners and noticed a huge reduction in my appetite however when I was using them regularily I was always hungry and had binge eating behaviour.

Sarah

[Mothercooter]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

That reminds me of when I briefly went to school in the Mid West. I was in class, sitting between two former farmboys. The lecture was on the brand new food pyramid and how it differed from the out-dated food square. When the professor explained the 9-11 servings of grains daily, one guy said to the other, "Hey, isn't that how we fatten the hogs?" The other replied, "Yeah."

Oh my gosh Im still dying laughing at this!!!!

[Chris]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

Oh my gosh Im still dying laughing at this!!!!

Yeah, Mindy, it's funny, but it's true. Grains are used to fatten cattle and swine before slaughtering. Yet, the FDA insists that grains should be the base of the food pyramid!

Oh, btw, I think I saw your Ghetto Whooshie Fairy when I was in downtown DC this past weekend!

[2big4mysize]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

thanks for sharing Chris. yep we think we are getting sugar we react and poof our blood sugar drops causing us to want more foods.

it is much like Dr Atkins warns us when having carbs to have some fat with them in the tips in the OWL section cause when the brief amount of energy is gone but the chemicals to use them are still in the blood stream either the blood sugar drops and we get hunger signals or our dieatary fats drive the energy cycle keeping the no energy chems from signaling EAT!!!!!!!

[sallyann]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

Thanks Chris, it really makes you consider the big pictures on sweeteners that for sure.

S
X

[LC_Dave]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

Yeah this is an interesting topic.

I think sugar alcohols are even worse than teh artifical sweetners.

There has to be a reaction, nothing is free!

[Miss Phode]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

Good post. Thanks for sharing

[Maerow]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

Oh gawd.

So what is the answer then, not use sweeteners. ??

I already restrict what I eat, I pass by sweets, cakes, cookies, etc.

But now my SF jello and sweetener in my coffee is bad too?

What goodies are safe to eat? If the answer is "none" I am gonna go shoot myself right now. >.< (j/k but kinda frustrated)

[ValidRouge]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

If the answer is "none" I am gonna go shoot myself right now. >.< (j/k but kinda frustrated)

I'm over here laughing with you, not at you Maerow

I totally know what you mean. I think, though, that if you are aware of the reactions you could possibly be having with artificial sweetners, and you are cautious with your use of them, then you'll be alright.

However, if you are having problems, restricting/limiting them might be the answer.

[staziaw]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

I find that a little dab will do ya . . . keep your consumption down and you really won't have a problem. I have one or two servings (packets) of Splenda a day - mostly in some sweetie thing to nibble on in the evening (sf pudding, or panna cotta, or ricotta cheesecake). It keeps me from marching down to the market and loading up on baked goods that are completely not good for me!

Stacy

[2big4mysize]

Re: An interesting theory about artificial sweetners

if you have your sweetened stuff with your meal and some fats you can be okay using them but some of us are triggered to binge from the sweet taste so for use we either use a diffeerent sweetner or we use none. I can't bekive how sweet veggies, meats and cremacheese have become to me cause I use none. I can be like the person Dr Atkins is describing when he talks abut a lucious hunk of cream cheese