"Low-Calorie Sweetener Boosts Fat Accumulation In Explanted Cells" - Megan Brooks
Consumption of low-calorie sweeteners may promote metabolic dysfunction and predispose people to diabetes, particularly in individuals with obesity. Low-calorie sweeteners promote fat accumulation within cells in a dose-dependent fashion, most likely by increasing glucose entry into cells through increased activity of glucose transporters, researchers reported during a March 18th media briefing at ENDO 2018, the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in Chicago. “This in vitro analysis suggests that obese patients may be more sensitive to low-calorie sweeteners than non-obese, with changes occurring on a cellular level that may be predispose them to metabolic complications,” said Reshmi Srinath, MD, assistant professor of medicine, endocrinology, diabetes and bone disease and director of the weight and metabolism management program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. “This suggests that those with overweight or obesity should avoid low-calorie sweeteners completely,” added Dr. Srinath, who wasn’t involved in the study.
- Reshmi Srinath, MD, Assistant Professor, Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, Director, Weight and Metabolism Management Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai