The Worst Coffee Sweeteners That Almost Guarantee Belly Fat 2023
If you enjoy sweetening your morning coffee, you undoubtedly have a favorite sweetener. Many selections are unhealthy, especially if consumed regularly. Health experts advise avoiding refined sugar and artificial sweeteners as the worst alternatives.
We spoke to Rachel Scott, co-founder and medical practitioner at National TASC, and Krutika Nanavati, qualified dietitian and nutritionist. Their expertise is below.
Pure sugar
Many individuals like to sweeten their morning coffee with a tablespoon of refined sugar. Scott advises that these and other dangerous coffee constituents might impair your health, especially if you’re attempting to lose weight.
“Refined sugar is those that came from natural sources but underwent processing to strip off other healthy ingredients and left only with the sugar part,” she says. Corn syrup, like granulated white sugar, is refined sugar.
Scott says this sugar spikes blood sugar, which can contribute to weight gain over time. “The bad thing about refined sugar is that the body is able to metabolize and break them down rapidly so it causes a spike in blood sugar levels,” she says.
Insulin overproduction follows. Insulin resistance can cause diabetes and heart disease if this persists. This can make weight loss difficult.” Thus, it’s better to restrict refined sugar intake.
Artificial sugars
If you’re trying to cut sugar, artificial sweeteners may seem healthier. Unfortunately, Nanavati says otherwise. Artificial sweeteners can increase fat formation.
“One of the most significant effects of artificial sweeteners is inflammation and weight gain,” says Nanavati. She says this can slow metabolism and cause tummy fat: These sweeteners raise blood glucose, which makes the body store more fat and gain weight.
In addition to this direct effect, artificial sweeteners can boost your cravings for sweet food (including real sugar), making you more prone to overeat unhealthy foods, which can sabotage your weight reduction efforts.
Bottom line
We’re only human, so we’ll occasionally need a sweet treat. If you’re dieting, pick healthful, whole, natural foods. That includes minimizing refined sugar and artificial sweeteners.
