Sugar-free is not always risk-free
TIMES NEWS NETWORK


Diwali for diabetics in Gujarat — the diabetes capital of India — can be a trying time with loads of sweets enticing them at home and in office. Many diabetics then do the best — eat sugar-free sweets now sold in the market. Doctors, however, warn against over eating of such sweets.
Dr Ramesh Goyal, endocrinologist, describes the side effects: “Use of non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) is most common as it is considered safe and beneficial due to low caloric content. Some scientific studies, however, indicate that such consumption drives the development of glucose intolerance through induction of compositional and functional alterations to the intestinal microbiota.” Diabetologist Dr Navneet Shah says, “Lack of labelling on sugar-free sweet packets is a cause of concern. “No pack of the sweets, claimed to be made from sugar substances, carries the details of the ingredient particularly which artificial sweetener is used. It is very important for diabetic patient to know which type of sweetener is used.“

According to edocrinologist Dr Vivek Arya, in cases where a diabetic is also suffering from phenylketonuria, consumption of sugar-free sweets can be harmful.