Artificial sweeteners appear in a multitude of products on consumer shelves, and confusion and fear regarding the safety of these items is widespread. Non-profit organizations as well as government agencies continue to work hard to dispel myths and rumors in order to keep consumers free from harm.
Types
Testing for the long-term effects of sugar substitutes has been on-going since the 1970s. Products such as stevia, sorbitol, xylitol, aspartame, acesulfame, saccharin and sucralose have all been the subject of extensive scientific research.
Identification
There are two main kinds of sugar substitutes, synthetic and non-synthetic. Aspartame is the most widely-used synthetic sugar substitute. Approved for use in more than 100 countries, aspartame is one of the most widely-tested substances ever allowed in the U.S. food supply. Aspartame is found in the brands Equal and NutraSweet. Sucralose, by contrast is a non-synthetic, low-sugar substitute and is newer to the market. It is found in the brand Splenda and is made from sugar and therefore contains a trace amount of calories per gram.
Warning
Products containing aspartame are required to note on the packaging that people who have the rare genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU) are advised to avoid these items.
Theories and Speculation
The Internet has been a breeding ground for urban legends surrounding aspartame as the cause of Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, brain damage and other diseases, including cancer. In fact, most sugar substitutes have been linked to cancer in lab-tested animals, including saccharin. A recent study released by the National Cancer Institute concluded no relation to artificial sweeteners and cancer in humans.
Considerations
Although no scientific research supports the claims, some short-term side effects associated with sugar substitutes include headache or migraine, agitation and panic, dizziness and/or diarrhea.
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