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We all want to do what's best by our bodies. For the longest time, we've been made to think that no/low-calorie artificial sweeteners are better for us. This includes not only Splenda in our coffees but also our diet Cokes and Pepsis. Turns out, we're all better off just using the real thing, and not opting for a no-calorie substitute. While Splenda can be incredibly tasty and the perfect addition to our coffee or tea, it really is not much better for you than regularly processed sugar. Here are 10 things that can happen to your body when you consume Splenda regularly. 1. You're at a higher risk for disease Medical News Today Holistic Health Coach, Amy Kaneff, has confirmed that by using artificial sweeteners every day, you put your body at 67% greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes. There's also a 36% greater chance of developing metabolic syndrome, which includes elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar and cholesterol, and an increased waistline, according to Kaneff. 2. Nutritional deficiencies JeepersMedia / Flickr According to Nutritionist Jennifer Insel, MS, "Food additives and sweeteners make a difference in our eating habits and brain patterns. Even if these food additives or sweeteners provide no sugar or calories, they simulate the sweet sensation in the foods they are added to." This means the inevitable increase of the processed, poor food choices. 3. Memory loss Max Pixel By consuming artificial sweeteners every single day, it ultimately begins to affect your cognition, worsened memory, and other brain issues, such as impacting your neural senses. The best way to avoid this is consuming natural sweeteners in moderation. 4. Depression Max Pixel Artificial sweeteners actually play a huge role in interfering with the brain's neural pathways, meaning it can disrupt the production of serotonin, the hormone for 'happiness'. 5. Weight gain iStock This is pretty much a no-brainer. An increase on artificial sweeteners also calls for an increase in fat storage, particularly in the stomach area. Read onto the NEXT page to see what else can happen to your body when using Splenda regularly... 6. May pose a higher risk for certain cancers National Institutes of Health According to the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, researchers found that by feeding mice various levels of sucralose (Splenda), they found a higher incidence of leukemia in the male mice. Nothing has been formally established between cancer and Splenda, however, and more testing is still needed to confirm what the effects would be on humans. 7. Metabolic disorders New Chapter Let's talk about metabolic syndrome that was mentioned previously. How does that actually work? According to Brian Hoffmann, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Marquette University, artificial sweeteners like Splenda contribute to altering the activity of genes that are responsible for breaking down macromolecules like proteins and fats. This ultimately leads to some frustrating metabolic issues. 8. Changes in overall gut health YouTube Good bacteria is absolutely necessary for all of us. One study confirmed that sucralose (Splenda) might contribute negative effects to these good bacteria. Beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria were "significantly reduced", and it did not improve or go back to normal 12 weeks after testing on their lab mice. 9. Chronic headaches PX Here If you are constantly consuming artificial sweeteners and find yourself struggling with headaches very often, you might want to consider a natural sugar alternative! 10. Consistent pain Wikimedia Commons Many avid Splenda users got rid of their artificial sweeteners after discovering that it was causing chronic and consistent pain for them. It was so bad to the point where they felt they needed to crawl up the stairs or that they were developing arthritis. Nope, just Splenda! Read more reviews here. Be sure to SHARE this article to spread awareness about Splenda. Choose healthier alternatives today!