Re: Diet Coke (re: artificial sweetener and fasting)

No artificial sweeteners should ever be consumed during a fast. In fact, artificially sweetened foods are one of the worst things you can do when trying to lose weight.
When the mouth senses a sweet taste it begins to secrete enzymes to break down the simple carbohydrates into glucose, the basic fuel for the body. The digestive system, indeed the whole body goes on alert that it is about to be fed the fuel necessary to energize the body on a cellular level. When the expected glucose fails to materialize the body starts demanding it. Cravings for sweets and carbohydrates begin. The body was primed to start producing and storing energy, but the artificial sweetener provided nothing of value.
When the body exhausts its supply of stored glycogen and it does not get glucose it starts producing ketones from stored fat to fuel the body. Since the body is self feeding it does not need the stimulation from the taste buds and hunger lessens (although the psychological cravings and emotional hunger continue much longer for most people). Artificial sweeteners continue to stimulate the system and the person is always hungry.
Avoid all artificially sweetened food, even gum and flavored water when fasting. It will do more harm than good. A teaspoon of Sugar will end ketosis for a while, but a teaspoon of Aspartame or sucralose will cause more problems. Even "Natural" sweeteners like stevia should be avoided when water fasting. Do not allow that phony sweet taste ruin your fast. Tweet