Artificial Sweeteners and Joint Soreness: Are They Connected?

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who enjoy using sweeteners, you may be putting the wellbeing of your joints at risk.

When you get sick, your immune system triggers an inflammatory response. It’s a secondary defense mechanism that the body employs to fight off illness-causing bacteria, viruses, germs, and fungi. When these intruders damage tissues, chemicals are released in the body that promote swelling and trigger the convergence of white blood cells that attack germs and damaged cells. [1]

But sometimes, the immune system signals an inflammatory response to kick in even when you aren’t sick. Non-living substances like toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign objects like splinters can also prompt the body to activate mechanisms designed to eradicate potentially harmful materials. If these substances are encountered frequently, inflammation can remain almost constant. This can lead to discomfort, most often felt as soreness in the joints that may be diagnosed as a type of arthritis.

An inflammatory response can be triggered by a number of factors, and arthritis can develop for a number of reasons. These can include your family history, age, gender, history of previous injuries, and body weight. 

If you don’t have any of the markers of predisposition for the development of arthritis, or haven’t been diagnosed with the condition but are still having trouble managing joint discomfort and inflammation, the culprit might be hidden in your diet. High-fat fried foods are, while delicious, a common inflammation trigger. This is often due to the inflammatory compounds produced as a result of high-heat cooking. 

The omega-6 fatty acid content of common cooking and frying oils like soybean and canola have also been linked to aggravation in the body and oxidative damage caused by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. High salt and sugar content can cause an inflammatory response as well. Refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta can spike your blood sugar levels and increase your risk of diseases related to inflammation, such as IBD.

Have you cut out fried foods and sugar, only to find that your joint discomfort hasn’t subsided? If so, the culprit might be lurking inside your coffee cup.

How Sweeteners Contribute to Joint Discomfort

Adding a spoonful of your favorite artificial sweetener to your coffee every day seems like a no-brainer. It’s calorie-free and makes your coffee taste better. Yet the very thing that makes artificial sweeteners great for your waistline can have negative effects on your joints.

The human body can’t process artificial sweeteners. As a result, you get all the flavor benefits without any calories — the sweetener passes right through your digestive system. But because its chemical structure makes it indigestible, your body may register the presence of a foreign substance and react as if it were a pathogen by triggering an immune response that leads to inflammation.

If your arthritis or joint soreness isn’t bad, it might seem like a little discomfort is worth it to have your favorite latte or sweet treat. Unfortunately, there may be more severe problems on the horizon.

The Progression of Joint Damage 

What feels like occasional soreness can, if left unchecked, turn into long-term joint damage.

During an inflammatory response, your body sends a high number of white blood cells and inflammatory chemicals into the joints. This process is helpful to defend against pathogens, quickly eliminating the threat of illness. However, when a daily irritant causes constant inflammation, your joints don’t get a reprieve from the swelling and irritation. As a result of inflammation in the joint lining, the cartilage caps that protect the ends of bones may begin to wear down. When cartilage damage occurs, joint discomfort becomes harder to reverse.

Reducing Inflammation for Joint Health

If this sounds like you, don’t despair. Whether your joint inflammation recently started or has been an ongoing problem, there are still steps you can take to help soothe inflammation and diminish its harmful effects on joints.

An essential first step to take is lowering your consumption of inflammatory foods such as sweeteners. If you must use non-sugar sweeteners due to other health conditions, try to limit your intake. Because artificial sweeteners are calorie-free, many people use far more sweetener than they would sugar. Stick to regular serving sizes as indicated on the packaging, and try some of our other joint health-enhancing suggestions:

• Stop smoking. Reducing or, ideally, quitting the use of cigarettes is beneficial for the long-term health of your joints. Smoking can make it harder for your body to absorb and utilize essential nutrients for bone and connective tissue health.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight multiplies the force put on joints during movement. Over time, your discomfort may increase and your joint deterioration may accelerate.
• Enjoy gentle movement. When joints hurt, it’s easy to find yourself shying away from exercise. Try to incorporate daily gentle movements that feel good and help to keep you limber. Swimming, walking, hiking, biking, yoga, and pilates are low-impact ways to get your heart rate up and your muscles working without stressing out your joints.
• Explore physical therapy. Talk to your doctor about how professional physical therapy may help you manage symptoms of joint pain.

Joint-Soothing Success with Arthro-7

Many adults dealing with joint pain also find relief through nutritional supplements designed to support joint health. These nutraceutical supplements use natural extracts, vitamins, and minerals that help to soothe inflammation and aid your body in recovering from joint discomfort. When choosing a supplement, look for one that:

• Is free of artificial fillers
• Uses non-GMO ingredients
• Has been clinically tested for efficacy
• Is made in a cGMP-certified facility, meaning the manufacturer adheres to regulations enforced by the FDA

Arthro-7 is a crowd-favorite supplement that meets all of the above criteria. It features our unique AR7 Joint Complex, a blend of natural ingredients that provides relief from discomfort in as little as two weeks while also promoting better ongoing joint health.*

With collagen to encourage the development of healthy cartilage, bromelain to aid in decreasing joint inflammation and discomfort, turmeric to support comfort and mobility, and MSM to dissolve the calcium deposits that cause joint stiffness, Arthro-7 rebuilds joint strength and density and restores lost flexibility for a healthy, active lifestyle. 

Backed by U.S. Doctors’ Clinical’s Advisory Board of Doctors, Arthro-7’s effects have been clinically studied in double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials led by university researchers from around the world. The results prove that the AR7 Joint Complex delivers remarkable effects.*

Right now, you can test the clinically proven Arthro-7 formula risk-free from U.S. Doctors’ Clinical. Try the product for 60 days, and if you aren’t satisfied for any reason, the laboratory that makes Arthro-7 will refund 100% of your money. You’ve got nothing to lose — except joint discomfort!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

**Click to copy the promo code A7FIRST to your clipboard, and paste at checkout. 

Sources

1. https://www.medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000821.htm
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772
3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-foods-that-cause-inflammation
4. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/advanced-glycation-end-products
5. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319837
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3198517/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3247279/
8. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/nutrition/healthy-eating/dairy-and-inflammation