Artificial Sweetener Dangers

Are artificial sweeteners more dangerous than sugar?

Through the years men and women have tried to discover ways to make the things we eat more healthy. Sodas are a very popular drink that people love to consume, but most people do not enjoy the excess calories. So to make these drinks better for our waistlines, scientists in labs came up with chemical concoctions to remove the calories. The result is artificial sweeteners, which may be more dangerous than just plain sugar.

Aspartame

Aspartame is considered one of the worst sugar substitutes on the market today. Under the name of NutraSweet or Equal, this sweetener has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorders, manic episodes, dizziness, mood changes and, on rare occasions, seizures. Some studies indicate this chemical may be responsible for a wide range of cancers. Aspartame is not just in those innocent-looking packets at your favorite coffee shop; it may already be added to the food you enjoy. Check that the foods you eat do not contain aspartame in the ingredients.

Saccharin

In the 1970s, rat studies indicated that saccharin, also known as Sweet' N Low, was linked to bladder cancer. The FDA reacted by requiring that products containing the chemical have warning labels. Twenty years later, the label was removed because recent studies came to the conclusion that saccharin does not pose any health threat, but should still be used with caution and in moderation.

Acesulfame-K

Acesulfame-K is another artificial sweetener approved for use in most foods. In early rat studies, this sugar substitute was linked to an increase in lung and breast tumors. One of the problems with this sweetener is that no sufficient studies on the effects of prolonged use are available. For this reason, it is wise to avoid this chemical altogether.

Sucralose

Sucralose is a chemical made from combining sugar molecules and chlorine particles. It is known as one of the safest artificial sweeteners, but has not been without controversy. Many anti-Splenda advocates claim that sucralose is just as dangerous as other chemicals because no significant long term studies on this particular product are available. Not to mention; putting chlorine in your body is never a good idea. As with all sweeteners, it is wise to use caution when consuming this product.

References

• Aspartame-Most Dangerous
• Splenda dangers