A new study debunks the idea that "healthy sugars" such as artificial sweeteners are good for mainatining low bloodsugar levels but it might actually increase risk for developing glucose intolerance which is a major risk factor for diabetes.

As part of the study, scientists led by Eran Elinav of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, recently conducted an experiment involving both humans and mice where they have discovered that artificial sweeteners alters the natural balance of microbes found in the digestive tract that makes anyone susceptible to diabetes.

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The effect of artificial sweeteners drastically change the composition of healthy bacteria naturally found in the gut and it prevents the body to digest and absorb the sugar well. This effect leads to higher blood sugar levels that often causes glucose intolerance that can cause diabetes.  

Nutrition experts not involved with the study remarked on the reaction of the mice to non-caloric artificial sweeteners that this reaction should not influence people from not using them.  

According to James Hill, an obesity expert from the University of Colorado says that this study poses new insight involving the link the between artificial sweeteners and increased diabetic risk but he also believes that there is still not enough evidence and data to form a definite conclusion about artificial sweeteners and the body's way of handling sugar.

In conclusion, this mice study proves that artificial sweeteners drastically change the gut bacteria present in the digestive tract that disallows the body to consume sugar properly that often leads to higher diabetes risk but there are still loopholes.

Catherine Nagler from the University of Chicago applauds the Israeli team's efforts regarding the mice study but it does not explain if there is any connection between how gut bacteria populations react specifically to artificial sweeteners.

Nagler also points out how diabetes cases are increasing at an unprecedented rate due to a sudden change in gut bacteria. These factors include changes in diet, antibiotics, Caesarian-section births and now, artificial sweeteners.

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