https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/artificial-sweeteners-can-turn-healthy-gut-bacteria-into-pathogens/

Artificial sweeteners can turn healthy gut bacteria into pathogens

UK researchers have found that sugar substitutes such as saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame – found in soft drinks and processed foods – can cause beneficial bacteria in the intestines such as E. coli (Escherichia coli) and E. faecalis (Enterococcus faecalis) to become pathogenic, or disease causing.

“Our study is the first to show that some of the sweeteners most commonly found in food and drink – saccharin, sucralose and aspartame – can make normal and ‘healthy’ gut bacteria become pathogenic," said Dr Havovi Chichger, a senior lecturer in biomedical science at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU).

“These pathogenic changes include greater formation of biofilms and increased adhesion and invasion of bacteria into human gut cells. These changes could lead to our own gut bacteria invading and causing damage to our intestine, which can be linked to infection, sepsis and multiple-organ failure.

I have had the worst migraines after consuming artificial sweeteners.

Of course, there is no way to objectively say exaclty what causes each migraine but one of my absolute worse migraines was after consuming artificially sweetened soda that I was offered (and drank a lot of) at a friend's house. I thought it was just regular soda and when I went in the kitchen to put my glass in the sink, I saw the bottle. I didn't think anything of it, because I wasn't sure of the connection yet. After about an hour, the migraine hit me and it was epic, lasted 24-48 hours with all the worst symptoms including vomiting. I suspected the sweetener and thinking back, I remembered other times I had migraines after consuming artificial sweetener. That time really confirmed it for me.

I have migraines for years and have noticed a few very clear food culprits:

* Alcohol (I haven't had a drink in 17 years-since I figured out the connection)
* Peanuts (interestingly, one of my kids is allergic to peanuts-epipen level allergic)
* Artificial sweeteners (easy to avoid)

Anonymous wrote:I totally think they are healthy, all the studies that show that they aren’t just seem like bad studies to me. And stevia seems great.

But I *swear* they increase my appetite. Even stevia. So I avoid them even though studies say they don’t have an impact on appetite. Maybe it’s a placebo thing. I just eat the sugar/honey/maple syrup.

Not placebo. There are studies that artificial sweeteners cause insulin response similar to regular sugar. higher insulins -> lower sugar -> increased appetite

Delicious in a Diet Coke!

(Can’t quit you Diet Coke.)

Anonymous wrote:Gross and train you to crave sweets.

That's what people say. It's all I use now. 2 equals in my coffee. I don't crave sweets AT ALL.

Some taste bad, and the ones that taste good cause me gut disorder, so unfortunately I have to avoid them all.

Aspartame, Splenda, diet soda I would consider bad.

Stevia, monkfruit, and such are fine and good alternatives if you want sweet without traditional sugar

I can’t stand the taste. Apparently erythrol (spelling?) isn’t bad for you, but it tastes disgusting to me. So I just go sugar-free most of the time.

Agree with the PP who said they are fine but increase appetite. I used to sweeten my iced tea with Sweet'n'Low (my own preferred sugar substitute - I think it dissolves best and the taste works for me) but gradually started drinking unsweetened tea straight. Now when I put sweetener in the tea I really notice it makes me feel hungry almost right away.

I don't think artificial sweeteners are generally unhealthy in and of themselves, though, as long as you're not eating a pound a day or something.

Bad. Zero redeeming qualities.

One question, can your body recognize it as food?
Probably not so I will put it under bad.

Gross and train you to crave sweets.

I think they are probably fine in moderation, but I really can't stand the taste of any of them.

I cut sugar to lose weight but still put 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. on my morning oats and had one or two snacks with limited added sugar (<4 or 5 grams). I avoided added sugar in other things (bread, dressings, sauces, etc.) This small amount of sugar didn't prevent me from losing the 45 pounds I wanted to lose, and cutting back to the extent that I did cured me of my sugar addiction. (I probably used to eat 100-150 grams of sugar routinely).

I totally think they are healthy, all the studies that show that they aren’t just seem like bad studies to me. And stevia seems great.

But I *swear* they increase my appetite. Even stevia. So I avoid them even though studies say they don’t have an impact on appetite. Maybe it’s a placebo thing. I just eat the sugar/honey/maple syrup.

I used to be okay with artificial sweeteners like Splenda. Then I read a few articles about them re: blood sugar and other issues. So I stopped. But I’m trying to kick the covid weight I gained and I’m cutting sugar and missing it a lot. A friend raved about monkfruit. Tempted to check it out.

Do you think artificial sweeteners are healthy in moderation? Any ones in particular you like? Or do you think I should stick to my ban.