Artificial Sweeteners Effects:

Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes are food additives that replicate the taste of natural sugar. Sugar is being used excessively in the diet these days. However, a high level of sugar intake increases the calories in the body, thereby resulting in weight gain. As such more and more people are opting for low-calorie artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than natural sugar, and as such a lower quantity is required to achieve the same amount of sweetness. Products in which artificial sweeteners are used are lower in calories and hence are recommended for those who are trying to lose weight. Diabetic individuals are also advised to use artificial sweeteners since they do not increase the level of blood sugar.

The most common low calorie sweeteners in use today and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are acesulfame-K (Ace-K) which has been around for almost 15 years now. Ace-K when ingested is not broken down in the body. Aspartame has been proven to be safe for most people with the exception of persons afflicted with phenlyketonuria (PKU), a very rare hereditary disease. Neotame is the most recent of the low calorie sweeteners and is almost 7000 times sweeter than sugar. Considerable testing has been done on neotame, including human studies and it has been declared safe for use. Saccharin is the most widely used and the oldest sugar substitute, enjoying significant popularity amongst people with diabetes. It has zero calories. Sucralose is another sweetener that can be incorporated into various foods. Studies have shown that it is safe for diabetics as it has no effect on blood glucose levels.

Research has shown that aspartame is carcinogenic and as such may contribute to the occurrence of cancer. Tests conducted showed that leukemia and lymphomas developed in animals when aspartame was administered. Saccharin has also been found to be carcinogenic and may also potentially lead to cancer of the bladder. Although saccharin has been removed from the carcinogen list by the FDA, pregnant and lactating mothers are still advised to stay away from it. Saccharin contains sulfonamide and may cause sulfa allergies such as skin diseases, nausea, headache or diarrhea. Another artificial sweetener, sucralose, contains impurities such as heavy metals, arsenic and methanol. Sucralose may also contain chlorocarbons, consumption of which may lead to kidney and liver inflammation. Acesulfame-K (Ace-K) contains a carcinogen called methylene chloride and prolonged consumption may result in kidney and liver conditions, depression and nausea.