Fake Sugars-Are they Good for You?

There are many names for artificial sweeteners and different companies that produce different kinds from different sources. I am going to explore some of the most common and the effects on the body and their pros and cons.

• Aspartame-This one seems to be the most controversial artificial sweeteners. Claims against it and it's potential side-effects range from headaches and dizziness to cancer. Tumors have been found in rats after given large doses of the substance, but from what I can tell it would be impossible for a human to consume enough to harm them. The FDA has deemed it safe and the American Cancer Society has also said that the claims have never been substantiated. If you would like to see more on the American Cancer Society has to say on the subject click here.

          Aspartame seems to be good for the human body. It cuts out sugars that can
          cavities, weight gain, and potentially diabetes. Which is good considering it has been put in           foods such as yogurt, ice cream, and protein bars, and drinks such juices, teas, and sodas  for           over  30 years.

• Sucralose-This artificial sweetener is made by adding chlorine to sugar which sounds bad, but because of this it passes through the intestines undigested, and none of the calories stick. This can cause stomach problems such as gas and diarrhea, but it can prevent cavities, diabetes, and help a diabetic enjoy sweets without raising their blood sugar levels. To see a full list of the possible side effects  click here.

         

• Stevia-This artificial sweetener has not been FDA approved as a whole leaf or an additive in foods. To see the FDAs website click here. A reason that the FDA has not approved it is because it can dramatically lower blood pressure and blood glucose levels. This is a cause of concern because so many people eat and drink artificially sweetened foods on a daily basis. The supplement is available because supplements and vitamins are not regulated by the FDA. When the supplement is refined it has been approved for some use in beverages such as vitamin drinks and teas, but that is about the only place a person can find them.

Based on the research I have done it seems that FDA approved artificial sweeteners can be beneficial to all people, not only diabetics. It decreases the amount of calorie consumption, reduces cavities, and can aid in weight loss when eaten/drank in conservative amounts. There are many theories on harmful side effects from ingesting foods and drinks with aspartame, and many companies that are labeling their food items aspartame free. Based on this on I will be doing more research on aspartame, and asking whether they are just theories or if anybody has found any facts.

Stevia on the other hand has not proven to be safe in whole form, but in a purified form can be safe, but has not shown enough pros for me to add it to my diet anytime soon.