How safe are artificial sweeteners and is it best to just stick with plain old sugar? That’s a question that many people ask and want to know the safest alternative with the least amount of calories. Here are a few facts on the most popular artificial sweeteners to help you better choose.
Sucralose is a sweetener that is known as Splenda. It has a chemical makeup that includes chlorine and sugar. Sucralose has been tested and is found to be safe, thus far.
Sugar alcohols are another alternative sweetener found in some candies, protein bars, sugar-free foods, etc… These sugars are known as maltitol, xylitol, sorbitol, lactitol, erythritol hydrogenated starch hydrolysates,etc… What makes a sugar alcohol is a hydrogen atom added to sugar. Some sugar alcohols absorb better than others and have less calories. Sugar alcohol don't spike blood glucose due to their slow absorption rate. Ingesting large amounts of sugar alcohols can cause GI distress. Such as flatulence, bloating and diarrhea.
Aspartame is another artificial sweetener that is somewhat safe. However, there are some reports of headaches and it should not be used by people who have PKU because aspartame is made from the amino acid phenylalanine, it can't be metabolized by people with PKU.
Saccharine (sweet & low) is not considered very safe and was actually discovered in 1879 by a researcher who accidentally spilled a chemical on his hand and he noticed that it was sweet in taste. Studies have shown that saccharine did increase the risk of bladder cancer in rats and humans. Keep in mind that this was based on a large amount of saccharine being ingested.
Acesulfame is an artificial sweetener mostly found in chewing gum, and sugar free sodas. AceK, Sunnet or the Sweet One are names commonly used. The studies on this sweetener have been inconclusive. One study showed lab animals that were feed AceK were plagued with a variety of tumors. And the second study showed that the lab animals were so sick, the FDA threw the study out. The third study that was done showed lab mice having both benign and malignant breast tumors.
Stevia is a natural sweeter derived from a Brazilian shrub that is also found in Paraguay. When tested, researchers found that after 22 months, the lab rats that were used produced fewer sperm and had an increase in cell abnormalities in their testicles. In addition, female hamsters that were fed large amounts produced “smaller offspring.” Because Stevia is sold as a supplement, it has different restrictions than food.
In my opinion, I would use plan old sugar. It has been around for ages and is much safer when used in moderation. And women who are pregnant should choose sugar over an artificial sweetener.
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