New Delhi: The Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) has recently published India’s first-ever study on how sucralose affects metabolic health in people with type-2 diabetes. The study aimed to explore the effects of replacing table sugar, also known as sucrose, with artificial sweeteners like sucralose which is used in tea and coffee. The randomised control trial evaluated 179 diabetic Indians for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, it was found that small doses of sucralose in tea and coffee do not have side effects on HbA1c levels. Alternatively, there was improvement in waist circumference, body weight management, and body mass index.
Studies have earlier evaluated the effects of fake sweeteners concerning different aspects of health. However, there was little information on the effects of using it with tea and coffee. This study, therefore, is essential for Indians with diabetes who continue to add sugar to their tea or coffee. In India, the overall intake of rice and wheat is high which further spikes risks of type-2 diabetes among people. This study comes after the WHO cautioned against the use of such fake sweeteners to control weight. However, the guidelines were meant only for diabetics.
As a part of the study, participants were split into two groups – intervention and control. The intervention group was asked to add sugar to tea or coffee and then replace it with sucralose-based sweeteners. The control group, however, continued to use sugar as before. Lifestyle and medication remained unchanged and after 12 weeks, it was found that there were not many changes in HbA1c levels in both groups. However, BMI dipped in the case of the intervention group.
While talking about this, Senior Diabetologist Dr V. Mohan, Chairman of MDRF, also the lead of the study, said, “This study is very relevant to India as the dietary habits of Indians vary significantly when compared to the rest of the world. Typically, in India NNS is used to replace sugars in daily beverages like tea or coffee. This can help in cutting down calories, and sugar intake and increase dietary compliance. Judicious use of NNS like sucralose within the permissible ADI (Acceptable daily intake), in daily beverages like tea and coffee appears to be safe. He added that more studies are underway on the safety and efficacy of Sucralose.”
In India, the overall intake of rice and wheat is high which further spikes risks of type-2 diabetes among people. This study comes after the WHO cautioned against the use of such fake sweeteners to control weight. However, the guidelines were meant only for diabetics. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
