More on how artificial sweeteners help CAUSE obesity

[Yollam]

There have already been a number of stories how these addictive "excitotoxins" fool the brain into expecting a sugar rush that never comes, prompting a rush of insulin into the blood that makes people crave more carbs.

Now there is evidence that they cause the stomach to empty sooner, which presumably could lead to more cravings for between-meal snacks.

I quit drinking diet soda last December and have lost 75 lbs. It's the best thing I've done since quitting smoking. I put real sugar in my coffee, but I eat in moderation and am not going crazy from craving sweets like before.



http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060523/hl_nm/artificial_sweeteners_dc


Artificial sweeteners speed alcohol into blood
By Martha Kerr Tue May 23, 12:31 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters Health) - Alcoholic drinks made with artificial sweeteners lead to a high rate of alcohol absorption, resulting in a greater blood alcohol peak and concentration than from drinks made with sugar-based mixers.

The reason, Australian investigators told attendees here at Digestive Disease Week 2006, is the accelerated emptying of the stomach caused by artificial sweetening agents.

Dr. Chris Rayner and colleagues at Royal Adelaide Hospital studied eight healthy male volunteers. On one day, the subjects consumed an orange-flavored vodka drink made from alcohol and a mixer sweetened with sugar containing 478 calories. On the second day, the men drank the same amount of alcohol with a diet mixer containing 225 calories.

The researchers measured the rate of stomach emptying using ultrasound technology. Blood samples were also taken at 30-minute intervals for three hours.