ZOE Science & Nutrition

Are artificial sweeteners harming your gut? | Dr. Eran Elinav and Prof. Tim Spector

77 snips
Dec 12, 2024
Guest
Eran Elinav
Guest
Tim Spector
Dr. Eran Elinav leads the Institute for Microbiome Research and his groundbreaking studies on artificial sweeteners raise serious questions about their safety. Prof. Tim Spector, an expert in gut microbiome research, discusses individual variability in responses to these sweeteners. Together, they delve into how artificial sweeteners may disrupt gut bacteria and contribute to chronic diseases. They explore the complexities of sugar substitutes, urging listeners to reconsider these seemingly harmless ingredients and their long-term health implications.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Tim's Sucralose Experiment

  • Tim Spector experimented with artificial sweeteners.
  • He discovered a personal glucose spike after consuming sucralose, highlighting their non-inert nature.
INSIGHT

Artificial Sweeteners Defined

  • Artificial sweeteners, now called non-nutritive sweeteners, are chemicals with intense sweet taste.
  • They were developed to satisfy sweet cravings without the calories of sugar, but their integration into our diet is extensive and often hidden.
INSIGHT

Sugar vs. Sweeteners

  • Sugar's detrimental health effects are well-established, contributing to the obesity and diabetes pandemic.
  • Artificial sweeteners offer a sweet taste without the caloric downside, but their impact on the gut microbiome adds complexity.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app