Artificial sweeteners, sometimes known as sugar substitutes, are substances that are used to sweeten meals and beverages.

They're commonly referred to as "strong sweeteners" since they have a taste similar to table sugar but are a thousand times sweeter.

Although certain sweeteners contain calories, the amount required to sweeten items is so minimal that you consume very few calories. Many taste buds cover the surface of your tongue, each with numerous taste receptors that detect distinct flavors.

When you consume, food molecules come into contact with your taste receptors. When a receptor and molecule are perfectly aligned, a signal is sent to your brain, allowing you to recognize the taste.

The sugar molecule, for example, fits perfectly into your sweet taste receptor, allowing your brain to recognize the sweet flavor.

The molecules of artificial sweeteners are similar enough to sugar molecules to fit on the sweetness receptor.

They are, however, too different from sugar for your body to convert them to calories. This is how they achieve a sweet flavor without adding extra calories.

Only a small percentage of artificial sweeteners contain a structure that can be broken down into calories by your body. You consume essentially no calories because artificial sweeteners are used in such little amounts to make dishes taste sweet.

But below are some facts you need to check before continuing or starting to add artificial sweeteners to your diet:

# Artificial sweetener research is divided, but if you're healthy...

You might avoid using them. The usage of non-nutritive sweeteners has been linked to negative health consequences in studies (such as body weight, diabetes, cancer, and oral health). 

# Artificial sweeteners might have a negative impact on your brain

Some evidence suggests that artificial sweeteners pass the blood-brain barrier and alter hippocampus function when consumed.

This reduces sensitivity to interoceptive signals, causes appetitive behavior to dysregulate, and so promotes food intake.

# Artificial sweeteners have the ability to reprogram your taste buds

You and your taste buds acquire habituated to super sweet stuff because artificial sweeteners have many times the strength of sweet flavor as natural sugars.

Those who eat artificial sweeteners may become addicted to ultra-sweet sensations.

This could alter their taste preferences and reduce their enjoyment of naturally sweet meals such as fresh fruit, as well as healthful items that are slightly bitter, such as whole grains or vegetables.

# Artificial sweeteners may have an adverse effect on your gut health

Artificial sweeteners have an effect on the normal gut microbiota. Obesity and metabolic syndrome can result as a result of this.

# Can result in diabetes

Artificial sweeteners can change the flora in your stomach," explains Freirich. "Artificial sweetener usage affects the gut flora and is connected to reduced glucose tolerance, according to a recent study published in Physiology & Behavior.

Impaired glucose tolerance elevates blood sugar levels and increases diabetes risk.

# Reduce metabolism

Artificial sweeteners also slow down your metabolism by delaying the balance of insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood glucose. This causes you to become more hungry, which might lead to overeating.

# Cause Diseases

Artificial sweeteners have been linked to serious diseases like Type 2 Diabetes and metabolic problems, according to numerous research. They've even been linked to chronic kidney disease and neurological problems.

# Increase sugar cravings

Artificial sweeteners like stevia, aspartame and saccharin tend to increase rather than decrease your sugar cravings! This occurs because neurons are highly skilled at differentiating between caloric and non-caloric sweets.

So, the conclusion is that the brain's desire to ingest anything sweet is depressed, and as a result, you crave sweets more.

Artificial sweeteners possess little danger and may even be beneficial in weight loss, blood sugar control, and dental health. When used to reduce the amount of added sugar in your diet, these sweeteners are very healthy.

However, the possibility of harmful effects varies from person to person and depends on the type of artificial sweetener used.

Even while artificial sweeteners are generally safe and well-tolerated, some people may feel terrible or have negative side effects after taking them. Use natural sweeteners instead of artificial sweeteners if you want to avoid artificial sweeteners.

Also, do you know our, The Beach Body gummies are free from artificial sweeteners too