Diet soda
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has discussed artificial sweeteners, which are commonly found in diet sodas, and their potential effects on insulin levels and blood glucose management. He pointed out that certain flavors, including those associated with artificial sweeteners, can increase insulin release even without an increase in blood glucose. This is because the taste of artificial sweetener can become conditioned to the experience of a rise in glucose and hence insulin. For instance, if someone regularly consumes a diet soda with a meal that elevates blood glucose, then later consumption of a diet soda alone could still result in an insulin response due to conditioned taste 1.
Moreover, mentioned that this increase in insulin is serious because it can lead to insulin sensitivity, which is the basis for type 2 diabetes. In a study with children, ingesting non-caloric beverages in this way led to increases in insulin that made them pre-diabetic, prompting the cessation of the study. He suggests that if people choose to consume artificial sweeteners, they might consider doing so separately from foods that raise blood glucose levels to avoid disrupting insulin management 2.
In another episode, expressed his own experience with diet soda tasting artificial and chemical, and mentioned a study that changed his opinion on the neutrality of artificial sweeteners. The study he referred to suggested that artificial sweeteners are not inert, highlighting that sucralose and saccharine in particular showed significant changes in blood glucose response 3.
Lastly, another clip touched upon the importance of being cautious with artificial sweeteners and their potential impact on brain and gut chemistry, rather than their supposed cancer-causing effects. Peter Attia, another guest on the , discussed sugar substitutes, concluding that while they may not be a cancer risk, they could interfere with metabolism, and thus, he recommended being cautious with their use 4.
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