Are Artificial Sweeteners Good for You?

In our last blog, we reviewed the harmful effects of sugar and we know that sugar is not good for us so what is the solution?

We humans have been trying to satisfy our sweet tooth for centuries now so with the rise of diabetes and obesity we tried to come up with a solution thinking that if the sweetener has 0 calories, it is a better replacement to sugar. Guess what? We were absolutely wrong.

Artificial sweeteners are more harmful than sugar. The first artificial sweetener which was invented was Saccharin. I remember lots of diabetics were extremely happy with this invention. Only if they knew the story behind this product, they would not have agreed to use it. Saccharin’s commercial name is SWEETNLOW. It is a petroleum derivative called Toulene. It has harmful side effects and it increases sugar cravings, increases carvings for food thus increasing obesity and risk to type II Diabetes. Research shows Saccharin is a carcinogen in animal studies.

A sweetener known as Sodium Cyclamate had gained popularity and was used in diet sodas and other products but it was banned in 1970 due to it is carcinogenic properties and it is still banned in the US as well as other countries.

Then came Aspartame sold as Equal and Nutrasweet. The ingredients are Aspartic acid and PKU ( Phenylalanine). People thought this is much healthier than sugar and Saccharin but studies show that it increases the risk of obesity and diabetes. Several European countries have banned it. It is still sold in the US but studies have proven that this product increases the risk of Obesity and Diabetes so I would not recommend this to anyone.

Then came Acesulfame - K sold as Sunett. The possible long term side effects of this sweetener are Appetite loss, headache, mental confusion, serious effects on kidneys and liver, bronchitis, cancer, and visual disturbances.

In the meantime, another sweetener called Neotame was introduced. This product almost the same chemical composition to Aspartame. The chemical composition of this one is Aspartame + 3-dimethyl-butyl. 3-Dimethyl-butyl is a very harmful chemical. So I would not recommend using this one either.

Well, that’s when Splenda and Sucralose came into the market. The story behind the invention of Splenda is quite interesting. When DDT was banned, scientists started to work on inventing new insecticide. A highly poisonous chemical sulfuryl chloride was added to a sugar solution and the reaction created 1,4,6,6 tetrachloro-1,4,6,6 tetradeoxygalactosucrose. This is your Splenda and Sucralose. Studies show it can lead to obesity, possibly fluctuate insulin and blood glucose levels and can alter your gut microbiome. Splenda and Sucralose, when heated, releases Chloropapanols which are very harmful to us.

Now before we go ga ga over the reduced calories in artificial sweeteners, I want to make 2 points clear. The first point is that no matter how many calories these sweeteners helps us cut from our food, the harmful effects are so much that these sweeteners are not worth giving a shot. Second point is that these sweeteners are not actually zero calories. FDA labelling laws are a bit tricky. As long as a product has less than 20 calories per serving or less than 5 g of carbs, it is considered zero calories. Now, these products are less than 20 calories per serving so it is allowed to be labelled as zero calories but when you make a dessert using these products you are not going to just add one packet. You will probably add a cup or so. Hence they are not really zero calories sweeteners.

So I would highly recommend reconsidering your choice before you go ahead and add that packet of artificial sweetener into your body. Reconsider before you pour that diet soda or regular soda into your cup.

Don’t get disheartened. There are some better alternatives to sugar and these harmful artificial sweeteners to satisfy your sweet tooth. We shall discuss them in our next blog. Hang on tight. Till then adios amigos.