A new study from USC has found that sucralose, a popular artificial sweetener, can trick the brain into thinking it’s consuming calories despite not providing any. The researchers discovered that sucralose activates the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates appetite and body weight, more than regular sugar does.
The study, which tested 75 participants, found that sucralose increased feelings of hunger and activity in the hypothalamus, especially in people with obesity. Unlike sugar, sucralose did not increase blood levels of hormones that promote fullness, such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).
The findings suggest that sucralose may alter how brain regions involved in motivation and sensory processing communicate. This could lead to changes in cravings and eating behavior over time.
The study also found that women experienced greater changes in brain activity than men, suggesting that sucralose may affect the sexes differently. The researchers have now begun a follow-up study to explore how calorie-free sweeteners impact the brains of children and adolescents.
The study’s authors are concerned about the long-term effects of consuming artificial sweeteners on eating habits and brain development in children who consume more sugar and sugar substitutes than any other age group.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/is-your-diet-drink-making-you-hungrier-new-research-explains-why