Many people turn to fad diets and so-called healthy trends to lose weight. Mainly operating on social media platforms, proponents of these diets and ‘healthy’ lifestyles often suggest replacing ‘bad’ foods with alternatives, purported to be healthier. But, a renowned professor, Tim Spector, is warning about the dangers of ‘healthier’ alternatives.
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Outdated myths
The Genetics Epidemiology professor at King's College, London said these new trends mostly benefit the commercial food industry leaving in its trail, a serious problem of obesity. Writing in the DailyMail, Prof Spector took aim at the marketing of products made with artificial sweeteners as healthier alternatives to sugar.
He believes diet drinks and foods that use these products actually contribute to weight gain and the many problems associated with it.
Because these new components are chemicals that exist in nature, they don’t count as ‘artificial additives’, even though they are made in industrial labs. Beware of any product with large numbers of strange ingredients that you wouldn’t find in your own kitchen cupboard.
Sweet poison?
Several studies have emerged dispelling the safety of artificial sweeteners. A recent one conducted by a team of scientists from Israel and the United States found that the chemicals in most sweeteners alter your gut microbiome while making it harder for the cells in your body to absorb sugar.
Although these diet drinks may not add to your daily calories, they make it difficult for your body to absorb, thus turning it into fat. According to an article in The Sun, the sweetness of the drinks may trick your brain into believing energy is on its way. The false signal tricks you into eating or drinking more in anticipation of that energy. Prof Spector recommends doing thorough research about the new trends and diet fads promising weight loss.
it pays to be wary and gather data from multiple sources rather than merely following the latest trends when it comes to choosing what to put in your shopping basket.
Sources used:
The Sun: Brits warned to avoid diet meals & drinks that could actually be making you FATTER – here’s all you need to know
DailyMail: Don't swallow the hype on 'healthy' food: A leading health expert’s ground-breaking new book warns... Beware fake sourdough. Forget baby carrots. And chuck out that fruity cereal
Read more:
⋙ Sweet poison: Doctors warn artificial sweeteners may increase risk of diabetes
⋙ Drinking Diet Coke could be harmful due to this reason, according to experts
