Sweet ’n slow death

Artificial sweeteners may hinder the body’s ability to process sugar, thereby setting the stage for diabetes.

Using mice, a team of researchers from Israel tested three popular sweeteners: Sweet ’N Low, Splenda and NutraSweet, according to SFGate.com. Some of the animals got one of those substances in their water, while others received sugar water or just water. After 11 weeks, the scientists gave all the mice a dose of sugar and monitored their blood sugar levels.

The results suggest that artificial sweeteners change the composition of beneficial bacteria in one’s digestive system, causing high blood sugar levels and an impairment called glucose intolerance, which in turn can lead to diabetes.

Industry groups called the findings limited and pointed to other studies that have shown sweeteners to be a safe means of weight control.