Eat Less Sugar
Consuming excessive amounts of artificial sweeteners or sugar may result in gut dysbiosis, or an unbalance of gut bacteria. The researchers of a 2015 animal study hypothesized that the traditional Western diet (consisting of high fat and sugar) had a detrimental effect on the gut flora. This may affect one’s behavior and brain function.
A separate animal study showed that an artificial sweetener called aspartame increases specific bacterial strains associated with metabolic disorders. A metabolic disease is a group of conditions that raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. These diseases include high blood sugar, high blood pressure, extra body fat around the waist, and abnormal triglyceride or cholesterol levels.
Additionally, studies have shown that the effects of artificial sweeteners on gut flora in humans can have a negative impact on blood glucose levels. This indicates that artificial sweeteners, which are not actually sugars, raise blood sugar levels.
