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Artificial sweeteners and synthetic sugar substitutes have contributed to one of the most thoroughly researched and highly controversial subjects regarding health. In both Canada and the US there are up to 5 top choices for government-approved food additives and the controversy surrounding each of them is different. People generally have to make up their own minds on the issues. They either love the artificial sweeteners or they hate them.
The three main types of artificial sweeteners are saccharin, aspartame and sucralose. Sucralose, which is sold under the brand names Splenda® and Altern® is considered the healthiest of the artificial sweeteners.
Saccharin Artificial Sweetener
Saccharin has been around for a long time. In the early 70’s both governments pulled their approval because of a correlation between saccharin and brain tumors or cancers. There are studies that support this theory and studies that denounce it. No matter how you look at it, both governments have re-approved saccharin and it is commonly found in products like sodas and tabletop sweeteners.
Aspartame Artificial Sweetener
Aspartame, commonly known under brand names such as Equal® and NutraSweet®, are also approved for food use. There are allegations that the decision was pushed through by political means when the research was negative or inconclusive at best. This artificial sweetener is absorbed into the body and nay sayers claim it can cause all kinds of biological havoc to your body including headaches, mood swings, seizures, MS like symptoms and even cancer. The Food & Drug administration in both the US and Canada have stated that this is all unfounded and not true. The official website for the MS Society has taken a position that these allegations have not been proven to be true and encourages readers to make up their own mind.
Sucralose Artificial Sweetener
Sucralose seems to be the best bet so far. At 600 times sweeter than sugar, very little is required to obtain optimal sweetness. Unlike other sweeteners, sucralose (Splenda® and Altern®) are water soluble, stable when heated and leave the body wholly and completely; unabsorbed and unchanged. This makes them ideal for cooking and baking unless you need the texture real sugar provides. Their official website has solutions for that as well. The only controversy seems to be of a marketing nature. Splenda’s® slogan “tastes like sugar because it is made from sugar” has been disputed with the results of the law suit locked away from the public. Having said that, Splenda® doesn’t use the slogan anymore in their marketing.
Artificial Sweeteners and Weight Loss
For diabetics, artificial sweeteners are a gift. Without them, there would be severe restrictions to their diets. As far as weight loss? Again with the contradictions… One side of the coin swears by them. The other claims that the sweet taste can create an insulin response. This results in blood sugar being stored indiscriminately (as fat), but because your blood sugar didn’t really increase your body turns hypoglycemic resulting in a food intake increase. There is also the belief that dieters can rationalize if they are saving on calories with a diet pop… they can splurge elsewhere. Either way, dieters should be looking at what any kind of pop is doing on their diet. If you are drinking pop, diet or otherwise, chances are you are not getting the water intake you need on a daily basis. |
