More Evidence that Artificial Sweeteners are Dangerous

I have written several time about the toxicities of certain non-nutritive and artificial sweeteners:

WE ALL KNOW SUGAR IS BAD FOR US, BUT "FAKE" SUGAR IS EVEN WORSE!!!

MORE BAD NEWS REGARDING ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

Now more evidence regarding the negative side-effects of long term consumption of aspartame and saccharin have been published in the International Journal of Obesity:

Long-term aspartame and saccharin intakes are related to greater volumes of visceral, intermuscular, and subcutaneous adipose tissue: the CARDIA study

The results from this study, as the title implies, represent the collection of data over a period of 25 years involving an initial cohort of 5115 men and women enrolled in a study entitled the: Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults cohort (CARDIA). The study participant were living in Birmingham, AL; Chicago, IL; Minneapolis, MN, and Oakland, CA. Of the initial participant there were 3276 still involved at the 25 year examination.

The study looked at the accumulation of visceral (VAT), subcutaneous (SAT) and skeletal muscle (IMAT) adipose tissue associated with the consumption of artificially sweetened beverages and foods. Specifically the study analyzed fat accumulation associated with aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose sweetened beverages as well as total artificial sweetener intake and how this correlated over the 25 year study to total adipose tissue accumulation.

The results of this large, long-term study were adjusted for age, sex, race, education, and energy intake. In addition, the data was compiled for individual artificial sweeteners: aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose. The clearest association found was that the higher the level of artificial sweetener intake, the higher the level of adipose tissue. The greatest accumulation of fat was found associated with total artificial sweetener intake, not just within the context of artificially sweetened beverages. The next highest level of fat accumulation was found associated with artificially sweetened beverages (sodas) and with aspartame. In addition, the higher the level of aspartame intake the higher the level of fat accumulation. Although there was a clear and statistically significant association with fat accumulation with saccharin and sucralose consumption it was significantly less than with aspartame. As with greater intake of aspartame being associated with higher level of fat accumulation, so too was the finding with greater intake of sucralose or saccharin.

TAKE HOME: Assuming that the consumption of "diet" beverages will help one lose weight is completely false. Although the association between artificial sweetener consumption and weight gain has been implied from other studies the results from this long-term CARDIA study are quite conclusive. So not only is one poisoning themselves with these compounds, they are getting fatter while doing so. Just STOP using artificial sweeteners, PERIOD!!