CONSUMPTION OF ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: BOON OR BANE
Artificial Sweeteners (AS) having low/non calorific value are among the most widely used food additives worldwide and also regularly consumed by lean and obese individuals alike. AS consumption is considered safe and beneficial owing to their low caloric content, yet supporting scientific data remains sparse and controversial. The objective of the present study was to review whether consumption of artificial sweetners is boon or bane to human health. It has outlined the health effects of AS with respect to their association with weight gain and other metabolic health effects. Consumption of AS in the form of carbonated beverages may cause excessive weight gain. A case control study reveals the fact that AS can induce glucose intolerance by altering gut microbiota associated with the development of metabolic syndrome such as type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, sugar based sweeteners have long been suspected as the cause of obesity and consequent cardiovascular risk.