(CNN) – It’s an ingredient you probably add to your morning coffee or find in your diet soda, and it’s could be making you fat.
New research shows artificial sweeteners may actually be hurting you, not helping you.
It adds zero calories to your drink, but it may add pounds to your body.
A new report finds no-calorie artificial sweeteners actually cause you to gain weight instead of helping you slim down.
According to a study in the journal “Experimental Biology,” there’s a link between no-calorie sugar substitutes and metabolic changes at the genetic level that could lead to diabetes and obesity.
Researchers found that exposure to artificial sweeteners for three weeks altered the expression of certain genes responsible for breaking down fat.
Researchers witnessed an increase in lipids in the bloodstream and a decrease in the molecule involved in clearing fat from the bloodstream.
Scientists say the most surprising finding was that metabolic changes didn’t occur when cells were exposed to natural sugars like glucose and fructose.
Instead of altering certain genes, researchers say natural sugars contribute to cardiovascular disease through insulin resistance and by damaging the cells in blood vessels.
The new research adds to the debate over artificial sweeteners and their impact on health.
The FDA has approved only six artificial sweeteners for consumption, saying they’re safe as long as they are used in moderation.
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