hacklink hack forum hacklink film izle hacklink marsbahis izmir escort sahabet porn Jojobet Giriş

Tag: artificial

Are Artificial Sweeteners Really Better Than Sugar? Experts Weigh In

In today’s health-conscious world, many people are replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners to cut calories and stay fit. These sugar substitutes can be found in diet sodas, low-calorie snacks, and sugar-free desserts that promise the same refined-sugar sweetness without the guilt. But are they as harmless as they seem? While they’ve become a popular choice for people trying to cut calories or manage their blood sugar, there are concerns about their downsides. Let’s take a look at what the experts are saying about artificial sweeteners and how they might impact your health.

Also Read: 5 Types of Sugar That Are Better Alternatives to Refined Sugar

How Do Artificial Sweeteners Affect Your Body?

Choosing artificial sugar over refined sugar might seem like a no-brainer, but let’s dive into how it can actually affect your body.

1. Increased Risk Of Heart Problems

Ayurvedic health coach Dimple Jangda highlights that artificial sweeteners have been linked to a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. She explains that consuming them can increase inflammation in your body, mess with your metabolism, and heighten your chances of developing cardiovascular diseases.

2. Increases Insulin Resistance

Artificial sweeteners can also lead to insulin resistance, making it harder for your body to regulate blood sugar levels. Jangda adds that they can disrupt gut health, causing inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other long-term digestive issues. Plus, they may even affect your mood and cause headaches.

3. Weight Gain

Surprisingly, artificial sweeteners can do the opposite of what you expect-they might actually lead to weight gain. The expert warns that over time, this could increase your risk of obesity.

What Should You Do Instead?

Instead of heavily relying on artificial sweeteners, Jangda suggests adopting a more balanced approach:

1. Add natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup to your food but in small amounts.

2. Stick to whole, natural foods as much as possible.

3. Tune into your body’s hunger signals to avoid mindless eating.

4. Stay hydrated-often, thirst can feel like hunger, leading to overeating.

Should Diabetics Rely on Artificial Sweeteners?

Dr Ambrish Mithal from Max Hospital, Saket, offers his perspective on diabetics. Many people with diabetes turn to artificial sweeteners or products with “sugar-free” labels, thinking they’re the perfect solution. But those labels can be tricky-sugar-free products may still pack a calorie punch because of their fat content. For instance, a sugar-free chocolate bar can contain up to 60% of the calories found in regular chocolate.

For those trying to manage diabetes or lose weight, Dr Mithal suggests cutting out sugar altogether. If you still crave sweets, consuming artificial sweeteners in moderation – about 1-2 servings per day – is considered safe. Plant-based options like stevia or monk fruit sugar could also be better alternatives.

Also Read:10 Interesting Facts About Maple Syrup You Must Know If You Really Love It

Do you consume artificial sweeteners? Let us know in the comments below!

Source link

January 7, 2025
Are Artificial Sweeteners Safe For Diabetics? Exploring Their Effects On Blood Sugar

Natural sources don’t offer options to satisfy our sweet cravings without increasing our calorie intake. White sugar, brown sugar, honey, and jaggery all have similar calorie content. Sugar substitutes, however, help reduce calorie intake, as many of them have close to zero calories. For instance, a 500 ml can of cola contains approximately 12 spoons of added sugar – almost 220 calories – whereas a can of diet cola has zero calories! Theoretically, sugar substitutes are an attractive proposition. However, they are not without controversy.
There are two common types of sugar substitutes: artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols. Artificial sweeteners are synthetic substitutes, including saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame, and neotame. The other type of sugar substitute is plant-derived sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, mannitol, and sorbitol. In addition to sweetness, sugar alcohols add texture to food. Their sweetness varies from 25% to 100% compared to regular sugar. Consuming large quantities of sugar alcohols can cause bloating, loose stools, or diarrhea, though tolerance typically develops over time.
Also Read: Worried About Early-Onset Diabetes? Try These 3 Simple Diet Strategies

Photo Credit: iStock

Stevia and monk fruit sugar are considered “natural” sweeteners because they are derived from plant sources. Sugar substitutes are widely used in processed foods, including soft drinks, cookies, chocolates, and jams. Some, like sucralose, can also be used in baking or cooking. However, a “sugar-free” label on a product can sometimes be misleading, as it may lead us to believe the product is “zero-calorie,” resulting in overconsumption. For example, a bar of sugar-free chocolate contains about 60% of the calories of a regular chocolate bar due to its fat content.
It remains unclear whether replacing dietary sugar with artificially sweetened products can reverse the health consequences of sugar overconsumption, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Some studies have shown that artificial sweeteners may increase the risk of diabetes and obesity, while others have found no such evidence. A 2022 WHO report observed modest associations between consuming beverages with artificial sweeteners and conditions like cholesterol abnormalities and high blood pressure. It has also been suggested that these sweeteners may alter gut flora, potentially increasing the risk of weight gain and diabetes.
A 2022 French study linked artificial sweetener intake to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Saccharin was once associated with cancer in rats, and aspartame with brain tumors, though these claims lack solid evidence. Concerns about adverse effects on kidneys, memory loss, dementia, and stroke have been reported but remain unproven. Additionally, mixing alcohol with artificially sweetened beverages has been shown to raise blood alcohol levels, increasing the risk of intoxication.
Also Read: Not Just Sugar: 5 Other Factors That May Be Hindering Diabetes Control

Photo Credit: iStock

Artificial sweeteners may also affect how our brains respond to sweetness, making naturally sweet foods like fruits less appealing and increasing our cravings for sweeter substances. For those who consume large amounts of sweetened beverages and are trying to reduce their intake, artificially sweetened beverages can be used temporarily while gradually transitioning to water. People with bowel disorders or those who have undergone bariatric surgery should avoid them altogether.
So, what should those of us trying to lose weight or control diabetes do? The best approach is to eliminate sugar entirely. If sweet cravings persist, it is generally safe to consume sweeteners in small amounts. A daily intake of 1-2 servings of sweeteners is considered safe, though conclusive data is lacking. Plant-derived sweeteners like monk fruit sugar or stevia may be safer options, but this too is yet to be proven.

About The Author: Dr. Ambrish Mithal is the Chairman and Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Max Hospital, Saket.

Source link

December 21, 2024
European satellites launched to create artificial solar eclipses in a tech demo

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A pair of European satellites rocketed into orbit Thursday on the first mission to create artificial solar eclipses through fancy formation flying in space.

Each fake eclipse should last six hours once operations begin next year. That’s considerably longer than the few minutes of totality offered by a natural eclipse here on Earth, allowing for prolonged study of the sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere.

The launch took place from India.

Billed as a tech demo, the two satellites will separate in a month or so and fly 492 feet (150 meters) apart once reaching their destination high above Earth, lining up with the sun so that one spacecraft casts a shadow on the other.

This will require extreme precision, within just one millimeter, equivalent to a fingernail’s thickness, according to the European Space Agency. To maintain their position, the satellites will rely on GPS, star trackers, lasers and radio links, flying autonomously.

Each cube-shaped spacecraft is less than 5 feet (1.5 meters) across. The shadow-casting satellite holds a disk to block the sun from the telescope on the other satellite. This disk will mimic the moon in a natural total solar eclipse, with the darkened satellite posing as Earth.

“This has a huge scientific relevance” in addition to testing high-precision formation flying,” said the European Space Agency’s technology and engineering director Dietmar Pilz.

Scientists need the glaring face of the sun completely blocked in order to scrutinize the wispy crown-like corona encircling it, getting an especially good look close to the solar rim on this mission. They’re particularly interested to learn why the corona is hotter than the surface of the sun, and also want to better understand coronal mass ejections, eruptions of billions of tons of plasma with magnetic fields out into space.

The resulting geomagnetic storms can disrupt power and communication on Earth and in orbit. Such outbursts can also produce stunning auroras in unexpected places.

With a lopsided orbit stretching from 370 miles (600 kilometers) to 37,000 miles (60,000 kilometers) away, the satellites will take nearly 20 hours to circle the world. Six of those hours — at the farther end of the orbit — will be spent generating an eclipse. The first results should be available in March, following checkout of both craft, according to the space agency.

The $210 million mission, dubbed Proba-3, is expected to create hundreds of eclipses during its two-year operation. Once their job is done, both satellites will gradually drop lower until they burn up in the atmosphere, likely within five years.

Liftoff was delayed a day by a last-minute issue with the backup propulsion system of one of the satellites, crucial for precision formation flying. The European Space Agency said engineers relied on a computer software fix.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Source link

December 5, 2024
The Nobel Prizes will be announced against a backdrop of wars, famine and artificial intelligence

STAVANGER, Norway — Wars, a refugee crisis, famine and artificial intelligence could all be recognized when Nobel Prize announcements begin next week under a shroud of violence.

The prize week coincides with the Oct. 7 anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, which began a year of bloodshed and war across the Middle East.

The literature and science prizes could be immune. But the Peace Prize, which recognizes efforts to end conflict, will be awarded in an atmosphere of ratcheting international violence — if awarded at all.

“I look at the world and see so much conflict, hostility and confrontation, I wonder if this is the year the Nobel Peace Prize should be withheld,” said Dan Smith, director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

As well as events roiling the Middle East, Smith cites the war in Sudan and risk of famine there, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and his institute’s research showing that global military spending is increasing at its fastest pace since World War II.

“It could go to some groups which are making heroic efforts but are marginalized,” Smith said. “But the trend is in the wrong direction. Perhaps it would be right to draw attention to that by withholding the peace prize this year.”

Withholding the Nobel Peace is not new. It has been suspended 19 times in the past, including during the world wars. The last time it was not awarded was in 1972.

However, Henrik Urdal, director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, says withdrawal would be a mistake in 2024, saying the prize is “arguably more important as a way to promote and recognize important work for peace.”

Civil grassroot groups, and international organizations with missions to mitigate violence in the Middle East could be recognized.

Nominees are kept secret for 50 years, but qualified nominators often publicize their picks. Academics at the Free University Amsterdam said they have nominated the Middle East-based organizations EcoPeace, Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun for peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians.

Urdal believes it’s possible the committee could consider the Sudan Emergency Response Rooms, a group of grassroots initiatives providing aid to stricken Sudanese facing famine and buffeted by the country’s brutal civil war.

The announcements begin Monday with the physiology or medicine prize, followed on subsequent days by the physics, chemistry, literature and peace awards.

The Peace Prize announcement will be made on Friday by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo, while all the others will be announced by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. The prize in economics will be announced the following week on Oct. 14.

New technology, possibly artificial intelligence, could be recognized in one or more of the categories.

Critics of AI warn the rise of autonomous weapons shows the new technology could mean additional peace-shattering misery for many people. Yet AI has also enabled scientific breakthroughs which are tipped for recognition in other categories.

David Pendlebury, head of research analysis at Clarivate’s Institute for Scientific Information, says scientists from Google Deepmind, the AI lab, could be among those under consideration for the chemistry prize.

The company’s artificial intelligence, AlphaFold “accurately predicts the structure of proteins,” and is already widely used in several fields, including medicine, where it could one day be used to develop a breakthrough drug.

Pendlebury spearheads Clarivate’s list of scientists whose papers are among the world’s most cited, and whose work it says are ripe for Nobel recognition.

“AI will increasingly be a part of the panoply of tools that researchers use,” Pendlebury said. He said he would be extremely surprised if a discovery “firmly anchored in AI” did not win Nobel prizes in the next 10 years.

Source link

October 4, 2024
Internet Lauds Karnatakas Move To Ban Use Of Artificial Colours In Kebabs

In an initiative to promote healthier living among people, the Karnataka health department has recently issued a notification ordering prohibition on use of artificial colours in preparation of the kebabs sold in the market. State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao took to his official handle on X (formerly Twitter) to make the announcement. He further stated that food vendors violating the rule will have to face “serious action including 7 years of jail time and a fine of up to Rs. 10 lakhs”.

According to Dinesh Gundu Rao’s post, the State Government took the decision after testing 39 samples of eight kebab variants in laboratory. Each of the samples were said to contain artficial colours – sunset yellow and carmiosine – which may cause adverse health issues.

Also Read: Rajasthan Authorities Find Some MDH, Everest Spices “Unsafe”: Report

Find the detailed post here:

Considering the safety of our citizens, Karnataka Government has banned the usage of artificial colors in Veg, Chicken and Fish Kebabs.

Recently, 39 samples of Kebabs were subjected to tests in the laboratory and 8 variants of kebabs were found to have harmful artificial colors… pic.twitter.com/0N1EmVNQCM— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) June 24, 2024

In no time, the news took the internet by storm, with people from different walks of life welcoming the decision with open arms. They also shared their suggestions to make the move yet more effective.

“Sir, this is a very good initiative. Do you have any portal to complain about those restaurants who use artificial colour. Also, please deploy your team to raid in all the ambur biryani and kabab shops,” a person wrote.

Another comment read, “This is a good citizen centric order that will be effective with regular checks by officials. Will BBMP officials check wedding/party halls that are illegally running kitchens on a catering license? They are catering to crowds while operating in unhygienic and unsafe conditions.”

Also Read:Spice Samples From MDH, Everest, Clear Food Authority Tests: Sources

A third comment read, “Good decision. Please also ban usage of plastic sheets for making idli and supply of hot lunch and dishes in plastic trays and cans.”

“Good move, but why ban only on kebabs? Why not in all food items? I am sure it’s been used in all other foods like sweets, ice creams, gravies, fried rice etc. In my opinion, it should be banned for all food items,” a person suggested.

Also Read: Are You Eating Plastic? Ditch These 5 Daily Items Infusing Your Diet With Microplastics

“Sir, please ban these artificial colours completely, instead of banning it on particular dishes!” another comment read.

Earlier in March, Karnataka Government prohibited use of food colouring agent, Rhodamine-B, which was widely used in foods like gobhi manchurian and cotton candy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, “Stringent action will be taken against restaurants that are found to be using such chemicals for food preparation,” reports PTI.

Source link

September 29, 2024
UN experts urge United Nations to lay foundations for global governance of artificial intelligence

UNITED NATIONS — A high-powered U.N. advisory body said Thursday that global governance of artificial intelligence is “imperative” and urged the United Nations to lay the foundations for the first inclusive global institutions to regulate the fast-growing technology.

In a 100-page report, the group said AI “is transforming our world,” offering tremendous potential for good from opening new areas of science and accelerating economic growth to improving public health, agriculture and optimizing energy grids.

But left ungoverned, it said, AI’s benefits could be limited to a handful of countries, companies and individuals, while even more powerful systems than exist today “could upend the world of work,” create autonomous weapons, and pose risks to peace and security.

The advisory body outlined principles that should guide formation of new institutions to govern AI including international law, and especially human rights law. It calls on all governments and parties involved in AI to work together to protect human rights.

The group made wide-ranging recommendations including establishing an international scientific panel on AI to create a global understanding of its capabilities and risks, and a global dialogue on AI governance at the U.N. to anchor future institutions on human rights principles and international law.

The recommendations also call for a global AI fund to ensure that the technology bridges the divide between rich and poor nations and promotes achievement of U.N. development goals for 2030, and a “Standards Exchange” to foster technical compatibility.

At present, the report said, only seven of the 193 U.N. member nations are party to seven recent prominent AI governance initiatives while 118 countries, primarily in the global South, “are missing entirely” from any conversation.

Among the initiatives are the European Union’s first-ever legal framework to regulate AI, which entered into force on Aug. 1. This month,. the Group of 20 leading world economies agreed to establish guidelines for developing artificial intelligence, calling for “ethical, transparent, and accountable use of AI,” with human oversight and compliance with privacy and human rights laws. And lawmakers in California — home to many of the world’s biggest AI companies — recently adopted legislation to regulate AI which is before the governor.

The advisory board’s report concluded on a positive but cautious note.

“As experts, we remain optimistic about the future of AI and its potential for good,” the report said. “That optimism depends, however, on realism about the risks and the inadequacy of structures and incentives currently in place.”

The board stressed that “The technology is too important, and the stakes are too high, to rely only on market forces and a fragmented patchwork of national and multilateral action.”

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed the advisory body last October, saying coordinated action is needed to keep the threat of artificial intelligence from becoming an uncontrolled “monster.”

The group comprises 39 prominent AI leaders from 33 countries — chosen from over 2,000 nominations. They represent all regions of the world, are serving in their personal capacity, and include experts from government, the private sector and civil society.

Guterres commended the group’s work Thursday, expressing full support for its recommendations “which provide a blueprint to build on existing efforts and together, shape an international AI architecture that is inclusive, agile and effective – for today and the future.”

When the secretary-general told reporters last year that he planned to appoint the advisory body, Guterres said he would react favorably to a new U.N. agency on artificial intelligence and suggested as a model the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is knowledge-based and has some regulatory powers.

But the advisory body said it wasn’t recommending establishment of an agency.

Amandeep Singh Gill, the secretary-general’s chief’s envoy on technology and a member of the advisory body, told a news conference launching the report that for now an agency isn’t needed, “but it’s not saying that we would never need something like that.” The board wants that possibility to be studied, he said.

The report was issued ahead of the Summit of the Future starting Sunday which Guterres has called to try to unite the world’s divided nations and address the challenges and threats confronting humanity from conflicts and climate change to artificial intelligence and reforming the U.N.

Source link

September 20, 2024