A study revealed that eating artificially sweetened foods and drinking
sweetened beverages might hinder your body's ability to estimate
calorie intake, thus boosting your inclination to overindulge.
First Study on Artificial Sweeteners
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The first group of rats were given two liquids, both of which
contained natural high-calorie sweeteners
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The second group of rats were given two liquids, one that was
sweetened with saccharin
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Both groups were given a sweet, high-calorie chocolate-flavored
snack after 10 days into the study
Findings From the Study
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Rats that were given the artificially flavored liquids had
a more difficult time differentiating their calorie intake and
displayed the tendency to overeat
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The rats given artificially sweetened drinks were found to
consume three times more calories than rats that didn't
receive any sweeteners in their drinks
Second Study on Artificial Sweeteners
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For the duration of 30 days, two groups of rats were fed their
regular food along with a high-calorie supplement.
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One group was given a supplement similar the heavy consistency
of chocolate pudding
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The other group was given a supplement that had the consistency
of chocolate milk
Findings From the Study
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The rats that were given the chocolate milk-like supplement
experienced a notable weight gain over the rats who received
the pudding-like supplement
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Researchers concluded that the rats who were given the milk-like
supplement had a harder time estimating calories than the rats
that were given the pudding-like supplement
Researchers compared the results of this study to the Pavlovian
theory where dogs were conditioned to associate the ringing of a
bell to food. Researchers also stated that the rats in the study
showed a similar relationship between the taste or texture of a
food and the number of calories it contained.
Researchers came to the conclusion that an inability to distinguish
calorie intake was brought on by artificial sweeteners.
On the other hand, the sweetener industry viewed the results of
the study as inconclusive because of the fact that it was tested
solely on animals. They also stated that sweeteners played an active
part in weight loss and were a valuable tool for weight control.
Another spokesperson for the sweetener industry added that it wasn't
necessary to cut back on artificial sweeteners because the FDA previously
approved them.
International
Journal of Obesity July 2004;28(7) Pages 933-935