Entry 3

            The article I found discussed the health hazards of artificial sweeteners. This article jumped out to me because of my own struggle with sugar levels recently. This article is saying that the use of artificial sweeteners changes the person's microbiome which in turn creates health concerns such as diabetes.
            There is nothing completed that is proof they are unhealthy, but results show that we should look more into the problem. The study discussed was originally done on mice. They noticed a difference, using DNA, in the gut of the mice when they gave them artificial sweeteners. Once they cleaned their systems out, the irregularity was gone.
              They also did a similar study with volunteer participants that showed the same results as the mice. The showings were quite clear that there was a correlation between the microbiome change and artificial sweeteners. There was not much more discussed within the article, other than the fact that the idea of this hazard needs to be further studied.
              I looked into the resources including the author of the article, as well as the doctor who led in the study. Kenneth Chang, the author, is not a well-known journalist, but is highly educated. Before finishing his PhD, he chose to change it up and study science writing. He worked for other news papers, including the LA Times, before moving over to the NY Times. The doctor, Dr. Eran Elinav is the principal investigator for the Elinav Lab. I am not sure if this makes him credible or not. I did not find other information about him. I am only wary about his credibility because a person who is in charge of the lab has the ability to make things work the way he wants.

Kenneth Chang, 2014. Artificial Sweeteners May Disrupt Body's Blood Sugar Levels. The New York Times.