Artificial Sweeteners - Are They Safe?

To research the health risks Sweet 'N Low and other artificial sweeteners I examined both sides of the story. There seems to be no neutral position on any of these sweeteners.

Sugar has become the #2 dietary concerns, following only fat content.

There are 3 general reasons for using artificial sweeteners; weight loss, dental hygiene, and for diabetics. Just like almost everything in life used in moderation there seems to be few health affects.

The reduction in calories comes from the lower quantity needed to add the sweet taste. Wanting something sweet is a natural reaction we are born with. Remember that sugar is a natural product and one that our body is able to metabolize from birth.

From a health standpoint I would rather use small amounts of sugar than manmade sweeteners. Better yet, as many doctors agree, wean yourself totally off of sweets. The more natural ingredients in our bodies the easier it is for our bodies to properly metabolize them.

The health risks of Sweet 'N Low appears to be the same as all of the artificial sweeteners. Too much is bad for you, a little is okay, and none is best.

For dieting purposes we are all going to use some type of artificial sweetener. As I keep repeating on this site you know your body better than anyone. If you notice any kind of side affect discontinue use for 2 weeks. Than try it again. If you still have any side affects try a different sweetener.

Let's start by listing the major artificial sweetener ingredients and which major brands use each.
Saccharin- FDA approved 1958- found in Sweet 'N Low (except Canada)
Cyclamate- FDA banned 1969- found in Sweet 'N Low (Canada only)
Aspartame- FDA approved 1981- found in NutraSweet and Equal
Sucralose- FDA approved 1999- found in Splenda
Neotame- FDA approved 2002- not found in many products yet
Xylitol- used in products for diabetics

The health risks of Sweet 'N Low are directly related to saccharin. Saccharin is 300 times as sweet as sugar. Being the oldest FDA approved sweetener in widespread use it has undergone many trials and tests. In the 1970's the FDA required warning labels. In 2000 the warning labels were removed. Bladder cancer is the major issue with saccharin. Canada has banned saccharin while allowing cyclamate. The U.S. banned cyclamate but allows saccharin. Both of these bans resulted from the same 1960's tests. Most nutritionists seem to agree that moderate use of saccharin causes no major health risk. Cancer found in lab animals resulted from very large doses of saccharin.

NutraSweet and Equal use aspartame as a sweetener. Aspartame is 160 times as sweet as sugar. It is more expensive than saccharin and not as sweet but it has a better taste. Many conditions have been blamed on aspartame but only one has been proven. Women with advanced liver disease or PKU (phenylketonuria) should never use aspartame. The sweet taste of aspartame is lost during cooking so do not use it in place of sugar in recipes.

NutraSweet has introduced another form of aspartame called neotame. It is very similar with 2 major exceptions. Neotame does not lose its sweet taste during cooking and there is no danger of PKU. At the current time there are very few products using it.

Sucralose is the sweetener used in Splenda. It is 600 times as sweet as sugar. Being the new kid on the block it is just now beginning to be scrutinized in greater detail. Dr. Joseph Mercola is leading the charge against sucralose. However the Center for Science in the Public Interest ranks it the safest of all sweeteners. Its claim that it is made from sugar seems to be true but not true. All resemblance to sugar is lost in the processing. There are 6 lawsuits saying just that and claiming false advertising. According to Dr. Mercola the FDA rushed sucralose into the approved category with only 2 trials being completed prior to approval. Apparently no tests were done on children or pregnant women. Everyone's body is different so metabolism rates vary greatly but at least 15% remains in your body. This is one sweetener I will keep monitoring and report any new developments. For now no side affects have been proven.

The sweetener Xylitol is more well known to those suffering from diabetes. It looks and tastes like sugar but does not require insulin in order to be metabolized because it is absorbed so slowly. It is also known as wood sugar because it originally came from birch. The sweetness is equal to sugar. Made popular in Finland the U.S. Army is going to start adding xylitol-sweetened gum to its MRE (meals ready to eat). It has actually been shown to have benefits to your teeth, including repairing small cavities. For those on a diet it should be said that xylitol has 40% less calories than sugar.

Although banned in the U.S., cyclamate, is the sweetener in the Canadian version of Sweet 'N Low. It is 30 times as sweet as sugar and leaves no after taste. The health risks of Sweet 'N Low in the U.S. is the same as those for cyclamate in Canada. Studies in the 1960's linked cyclamate and saccharin to bladder cancer in lab rats. The Canadians read the results one way while the U.S. read them another. Some manufacturers in the U.S. have asked for re-approval of cyclamate. There are 55 countries that have approved cyclamate sweetener.

While there is no concrete evidence of health risks of Sweet 'N Low or any of these sweeteners caution is advised. Low to moderate amounts of artificial sweeteners are acceptable. My problem with them is that every body is different. How do you know what low to moderate intake is for your body? With that said, my recommendation is the less you use the better it is for your health.

Hello, my name is Frank Keller and I am the owner of the Women's Health Supplements website. Don't be fooled by the name, we are not another vitamin retailer. All articles are not just reviewed by me they are written by me. From artificial sweeteners and bottled water to pregnancy nutrition every word is written to help you make an informed decision about your health. Content is chosen from your suggestions. Please visit us at http://www.womens-health-supplements.net to review our articles or to give us your recommendations for new articles. Healthy eating and a good nutrition plan takes very little of your time but is the single most important thing you can do for your health. Have a happy and healthy day!

---

Building Better Bones

"It is a bone-deep change you are going into, my... Read More

Bumble Bee Fish Oil - Do You Need It?

The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More

Whats That In My Food!

If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More

Nutrition Tips to Improve Fat Loss

Incorporating these fat loss tips will improve your nutrition program.... Read More

10 Flaxseed Facts to Improve Your Nutrition

Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More

Studies Prove Magnesium Boosts Memory & Learning Ability

According to the National Institute of Health, Magnesium is needed... Read More

TsuNoni - Green Tea Meets Noni

East Meets WestAsian cultures have realized the medical benefits of... Read More

Fat Burning Compatible Foods

Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic... Read More

What on Earth is an Enzyme?

Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More

Oregano: Nature?s Antibiotic and Antiseptic

Many of us sprinkle oregano on our pizza and stews... Read More

How Food Affects Mood

Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More

Getting Your Target

What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More

Healing Power of 8 Sugars: An Amazing Breakthrough in Nutrition

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed.... Read More

Surrender To The Spell Of The Pyramid

Food in general has the distinction of being probably the... Read More

Aspartame -More Dangerous Than High Fructose Corn Syrup

It's really hard to believe that something could be worse... Read More

Curbing Your Carbohydrate Addiction

Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More

Vitamin and Mineral Facts

Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what... Read More

Help Your Heart Grow

I turned into my parents' driveway in Maryland and parked... Read More

Fruit for Breakfast ? The Secret to a Healthy Life

Do you want more energy? How about more of the... Read More

What?s Causing Your Energy Drain?

This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?... Read More

Seven Secret Agents That Can Help You Live To 120

You know about Vitamins A,C, D, E ,and the B's... Read More

Nutrition and Exercise Tips to Walk Away From Death

Recently yet another super-heavyweight Iron Immortal died from a heart... Read More

What Really Happens To The Food You Eat

After we have eaten a meal -- and often we... Read More

Discover How to Grow Your Own Source of Vitamins, Fiber, Proteins, and More

Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a... Read More

Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?

Are Your Cells Talking To Each Other?Communication! It permeates our... Read More

The Glycemic Index and Dieting

The field of nutrition is awash with charts, tables, diagrams,... Read More

The Role of Nutrition in Martial Arts, Police, Military Personnel

For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More

7 Things To Your Health

Health is the thing. And no matter how many ways... Read More

The Dangers of Honey

Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More

Autism and ADHD Linked to Child Vaccines

In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More

Monitoring BMI In Children Today Could Lead To Better Health

In a new study published by the American Heart Association,... Read More

Calcium: the Miracle Mineral

We've heard it not only once or twice or even... Read More

What is a Healthy Eating Plan?

Healthy eating is important for everyone, from babies to the... Read More