What Happens to Your Blood Sugar When You Add Artificial Sweeteners to Your Diet

Key Takeaways

Artificial sweeteners generally do not raise blood glucose directly because they are not metabolized like sugar.

Chronic or high use of artificial sweeteners may affect insulin sensitivity, gut microbiome composition, and longer-term glucose regulation.

For best results, use artificial sweeteners as a tool within a broader healthy-eating plan, rather than as a sole fix for blood sugar control.

When you swap out sugar for artificial sweeteners, your blood sugar typically stays steadier, but that’s only part of the story. While artificial sweeteners may help cut calories and avoid blood glucose (sugar) spikes, research suggests they can still influence how your body manages insulin and regulates blood sugar over time.

Sugar vs Artificial Sweeteners

When you consume foods