Artificial sweeteners have become popular over the past few decades as an alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages. They are popular in sodas, candy, and other sweet snacks where you would find sugar. Artificial sweeteners are also referred to as non-nutritive sweeteners and sugar substitutes. They are often labeled on foods as “diet” or “sugar-free”.
What are artificial sweeteners?
Artificial Sweeteners are manufactured through chemical synthesis in a lab or derived from plants to provide a sweetness similar to sugar that have few to no calories or carbohydrates.
There are different artificial sweeteners that are chemically synthesized such as:
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Acesulfame potassium (Sweet One, Sunett).
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Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal).
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Neotame (Newtame).
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Saccharin (Sweet'N Low).
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Sucralose (Splenda).
These artificial sweeteners were created with the intent to help decrease the consumption of added sugars and calories. Most of these sweeteners are sweeter than table sugar, so it takes a very small amount of the sweetener to make it as sweet as table sugar.
The Pros of Artificial Sweeteners:
If consuming these artificial sweeteners in a small amount, it can help reduce your risk of dental cavities by consuming in place of table sugar. If you consume artificial sweeteners in moderation, they do not raise your blood sugar and may help with weight management.
The Cons of Artificial Sweeteners:
There can be too much of a good thing! When consuming a large serving of artificial sweeteners, some people report that these foods are not filling, and may cause more cravings for sweets. This can then lead to increased calorie consumption which may lead to weight gain. Some artificial sweeteners can also be linked with inflammation in the body, and cause digestive discomfort.
Products made with artificial sweeteners also may give you the wrong message about processed foods. A snack labeled low sugar or no sugar may not be the most nutritious choice. Whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, usually have the best mix of nutrients for the body.