If you’ve been reading my emails for a while, you know that I’m a big advocate for gut health.
There’s a good reason for that.
A healthy gut is essential for so many things, including a strong immune system and getting a good night’s sleep.
That’s why I want to tell you about an alarming new study that every health-conscious person should see.
Researchers have recently discovered that one common food could seriously harm your gut and even put you at greater risk for disease.
But don’t worry, I’m going to explain everything you need to know.
This food has been on my “never-put-in-your-mouth” list for years, and I have some important reasons why.
It destroys your gut bacteria, spikes blood sugar, and contributes to weight gain.
What’s worse is that it can even have toxic effects on your nervous system, leading to depression, anxiety, and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease.
I’m talking about artificial sweeteners.
Artificial sweeteners are widely known to cause a variety of health issues, including migraines, vision changes, nausea, insomnia, joint pain, heart palpitations, depression, memory loss, and more.
And now, there’s even more bad news.
A new study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that artificial sweeteners could have a dangerous impact on your gut health.
The research shows that these sweeteners can cause healthy gut bacteria to become diseased, and these bacteria can then invade your gut wall.
The researchers were shocked to observe that normal, healthy bacteria began transforming into harmful bacteria when exposed to artificial sweeteners.
This new strain of bacteria then proceeded to kill intestinal cells, known as Caco-2 cells, which are critical for proper digestion.
Certain harmful gut bacteria are also capable of crossing the intestinal wall and entering the bloodstream.
Once in the bloodstream, these bacteria can travel to vital organs such as the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.
In these organs, they can cause infections and, in extreme cases, lead to septicemia, which is a life-threatening form of blood poisoning.
But here’s the worst part.
The researchers found that it only took the equivalent of two cans of diet soda to cause the gut bacteria to become more aggressive and begin attacking the intestinal cells.
Given all the stress our bodies are under in today’s world, why would we intentionally add to that burden, especially when it harms our gut health?
I want to remind you that artificial sweeteners are hidden in many products, so it’s important to read labels carefully.
Look out for ingredients like saccharin, sucralose, and aspartame.
And if you enjoy sweetening your coffee or tea, consider switching to natural, calorie-free sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia.
Taking care of your gut is an essential part of protecting your overall health, so it’s worth making the switch.
For more on the risks of artificial sweeteners and their effect on gut health, check out this article from Medscape and another from Healthline.