Artificial Sweeteners (Sugar Substitutes) and Their Potential Danger to Your Health
Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes have long been the topic of much controversy and hot debates among the consumer. Before tearing open a packet of artificial sweetener or sugar substitute, make sure you understand and learn the facts about these sweeteners. The facts seem to be astonishing, but true nonetheless.
Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes were designed to help substitute for table sugar among diabetics due to the fact that they can’t tolerate normal sugar. The consumption of which may cause the rise in their insulin level. Since artificial sweeteners are of zero glucose they seem to be beneficial for diabetics and those with a medical condition.
People think that foods that has labelled with “sugar-free” or “fat-free” are healthy and zero calorie. Thus, they will consume as much as sugar-free foods as they desire because they believe that they won’t gain more weight. In fact, some sugar-free sweeteners do contain simple carbohydrates, in which each gram of the sweetener may raise their blood glucose just as much as sugar does, and research suggests that they may encourage overeating among the consumers. This is to alert you that you should restrict use of these sugar-free sweeteners as keeping them as minimal as possible as they are not friendly to one’s diet.
Artificial sweeteners are always considered as a less fattening or less calorie alternative used in most foods and beverages ranging from diet sodas, yogurt, diet coke and such. They resemble the flavour of sugar and people use them to replace the sweetness of sugar. They have virtually no calorie but many recent studies show that they can actually increase one’s appetite causing overeating and some of them may cause adverse effects if consumed in large quantity. Aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesukfame potassium and saccharin are some of the dangerous artificial sweeteners approved by the FDA for consumer consumption. This fact sounds astonishing, but true nonetheless.
Aspartame
Synthesizing in a laboratory, aspartame (a product of aspartic acid [or amino acids], phenylalanine and methanol combination) is an artificial sweetener that can mainly be found in the sugar-substitute brands like NutraSweet, Canderel, DiabetiSweet, Spoonful, and Equal. The use of aspartame was approved by FDA in 1981 and for years it has been a main ingredient in diet sodas. It’s also found in more than 6,000 foods and drinks, including Diet Coke, chewing gum, sodas, instant coffee, chewable tablets, yogurt, sugar-free gums, frozen yogurt, hot cocoa, gelatine, pudding, cereal, breath mints, sugar substitutes, pharmaceutical drugs to frozen desserts.
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Judy Sheldon | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
Chan, thank you for this well researched article about artificial sweeteners. Just the word “artificial” should give us a clue!
Joe Dorish | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
Great info Chan! If I want something sweet I\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’ll stick to natural honey.
CA Johnson | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
This is really good. I don’t use artificial sweeteners anymore. I used to use them until I found out that they are not good for you.
Darlene McFarlane | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
More and more people seem to be getting the message about artificial sweeteners. I have been noticing more food products containing them in the reduced isles lately.
As usual you have done a superb job, Chan. Your articles leave no stone unturned.
Melody SJAL | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
Great info, Chan…well-researched and interesting.
Eunice Tan | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
It is really a precious info. New thing for me and surprising.
Jenny Heart | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
I agree with Judy! Artificial sounds unhealthy. Exceptional!
chitragopi | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
I did’nt know about this. I have asked all my diabetic friends to read this article.. Thanks for this most valuable share
PR Mace | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
You know it seems your damned if you do and damned if you don’t. You did your research well and this is a useful article.
valli | Jun 18, 2010 | Reply
Thanks Chan for your valuable advice and information.
monica55 | Jun 19, 2010 | Reply
A great, valuable and very useful piece of information. Keep up the good work Chan.
Monica.
Anuradha Ramkumar | Jun 19, 2010 | Reply
Gr8 information. Well researched and neatly presented article.
clickmarbin | Jun 19, 2010 | Reply
nicely done. keep up the good work my friend
Likha | Jun 19, 2010 | Reply
This is very useful. I have not been using sugar for quite a while so I hope I’m doing well.
hope2010 | Jun 19, 2010 | Reply
Artificial sweeteners are always harmful. thanks to expand it.
Phoenix Montoya | Jun 19, 2010 | Reply
Good to know and I thought these sweeteners are the best. Liked it.
Mr Ghaz | Jun 19, 2010 | Reply
This really good and very informative article about sugar sub. But the problem was that,..I like artificial sweeteners so much!.. Thanks for sharing this..8)
Goodselfme | Jun 19, 2010 | Reply
Thank you for your great education to those who don’t pay attention to what they are doing to their bodies. Well done article and I agree. I never did like the ARTIFICIAL idea in anything.
giftarist | Jun 19, 2010 | Reply
Quality information and research. Thank you for sharing this friend.
drelayaraja | Jun 21, 2010 | Reply
Great information. This is new to me.
Casi | Jun 21, 2010 | Reply
Outstanding public information and Thank you for the quality research we need more public awarness.
Jo Oliver | Jun 26, 2010 | Reply
I have to admit that I am a coke addict. I have to start and end the day with a glass of Coke or all heck is gonna break loose. However, I try to avoid art sweeteners in most other products.
Magic Quill | Jul 8, 2010 | Reply
good work!
there has also been some research into aspartamine and dementia and other illnesses. I will avoid it if i can, but manufacturers are clever at disguising its name. It has a horroble chemical taste i wont be putting it in my tea.
DrLopez | Jul 10, 2010 | Reply
So true!
Yvonne | Dec 3, 2010 | Reply
It’s good, but where are your sources?