Posts tagged artificial sweeteners | XY Files – Veedma's evidence-based men's health articles

Healthy carbonated drinks: The science behind the switch for men

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Jan 13, 2026 · 9 min read

Traditional soda wrecks metabolic health and suppresses testosterone, but the new wave of functional fizzy drinks offers more than just lower sugar. Here is which ingredients actually support your gut, brain, and performance. “The transition from sugary soda to functional carbonated drinks is one of the highest-yield changes a man can make for his metabolic ...

Can you chew gum while fasting? What it means for ketosis and autophagy

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Jan 08, 2026 · 9 min read

A stick of gum feels like “nothing,” but it still contains calories in many cases. Whether gum is a fasting-friendly tool or a fast-breaker depends on your goal: fat loss and ketosis, or a stricter fast aimed at cellular cleanup. “In fasting, the question isn’t just ‘does gum break a fast.’ It’s ‘which benefit are ...

The worst foods for gut health and how they disrupt your entire system

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Dec 06, 2025 · 9 min read

We often think of digestion as a simple mechanical process, but your microbiome is actually a complex endocrine organ that controls immunity, mood, and metabolism. Here is the clinical evidence on which foods cause the most damage and how to restore balance. “Think of your microbiome as a metabolic control center, not just a digestion ...

Does diet coke break a fast? What the science actually says

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Nov 29, 2025 · 14 min read

Diet soda has almost no calories, so most people assume it is “fasting safe.” The real answer is more nuanced: diet coke will not technically break a fast, but it can still nudge hormones, hunger, and some of the very benefits you are fasting for. “From a pure calorie standpoint, diet soda does not break ...

Is Propel water healthy or just clever marketing?

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Nov 28, 2025 · 9 min read

For many, Propel represents the perfect middle ground between plain tap water and sugar-loaded sports drinks. But does removing the sugar make it completely safe, or do artificial ingredients carry hidden risks for your metabolism and gut? “Hydration is about more than just fluid volume; it is about maintaining a delicate electrolyte balance without disrupting ...