What are Artificial Sweeteners?

Artificial sweeteners, or sugar substitutes, include Acesulfame (Sunett & Sweet One), Advantame, Aspartame (Equal & NutraSweet Natural), Neotame (Newtame), Saccharin (Sweet ’N Low), & Sucralose (Spendla). These sweeteners are nothing short of manmade chemicals marketed toward those trying to lose weight & struggling diabetics. Unfortunately, these sweeteners have been shown to cause a number of short & long term health afflictions. 

The Diet Soda Era

You’ve been lied to. The sugar-free diet drink so many people have been told is “healthier” is dangerous & so much worse than the original drinks filled with refined sugar. Of course, the non-diet sodas on the market are terrible for our health too, but drinks with artificial sugars are notably worse. 

Artificial sugars are not only in sodas, but can also be found in a variety of products, from chewing gum to yogurt & syrups. It’s important to read the labels of the foods you purchase to make sure there are no artificial sweeteners lingering. 

A study completed in 2016 entitled, Artificial Sweeteners as a Sugar Substitute: Are they really Safe? concluded, “They [artificial sweeteners] are used by obese and lean, diabetics and nondiabetics, adults and children alike and extensive marketing and increased health awareness have led to their widespread use. They provide greater food choices to people looking to cut down calories and improve the palatability of food. However, many of their purported beneficial effects remain invalidated in large scale clinical studies, and some recent evidence also questions these previously established benefits. It is imperative that health-care providers judiciously assess the overall individual benefits and risks of NNS (artificial sweeteners) use to a consumer before recommending their use.” 

This same study noted that diabetics (the large majority of those consuming artificial sweeteners) should refrain from consuming these chemicals, as long term data has shown elevated blood sugar levels with those using these sweeteners on a regular basis. This study also found that obese people, children, pregnant women, people with epilepsy, & other high-risk individuals should limit or refrain use of these sweeteners due to poor health results. 

Aspartame

Among the most dangerous of the artificial sweeteners is aspartame. Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than conventional sugar & is found in thousands of processed foods & drinks, making it extremely dangerous for the population. 

The American Cancer Society even has admitted that aspartame is a possible carcinogen to humans. Based on their evidence, it may cause cancer, specifically liver cancer in people. Funnily enough, aspartame is still approved by the FDA. No shocker there. 

Natural Sugar Substitutes

There are natural, truly healthier options for those avoiding refined sugar in their diet. Among the most natural is 100% maple syrup & raw honey. There is also monk fruit, coconut sugar, stevia, xylitol & Bocasweet that are great options for those staying away from sugar or are trying to avoid raising their blood sugar levels. 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4899993/