Important Facts about Artificial Sweeteners

Before you make the choice to use artificial sweeteners think about what you already know about them and what you need to know about artificial sweeteners. There are a variety of reasons why people use artificial sweeteners, there are also several types of sweeteners and there have also been discussions by health professionals examining the dangers associated with sweeteners and their wide use.

What are artificial sweeteners?

Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes that taste like sugar but are synthetic, in other words artificial sweeteners are man made.

Why use Artificial Sweeteners

People who purchase artificial sweeteners tend to use them for many reasons, but the most common ones are:

- To help with Weight Loss - because artificial sweeteners are low in calories, this means that those who are on a calorie controlled diet can eat the same foods as they normally would whilst still losing weight.

- Dental care - artificial sweeteners are good for your teeth because certain types of artificial sweeteners can lower the plaque PH level.

- Diabetes - people with diabetes have difficulty managing their blood sugar levels, and by using artificial sweeteners can allow them to enjoy are more varied diet whilst still being able to sensibly monitor their blood sugar levels.

- Cost - artificial sweeteners are cheaper than sugar.

What types of artificial sweeteners are there?

The main types of artificial sweeteners that are widely available in the United States, and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are:

- Saccharin (e.g., Sweet ‘n’ Low) - was the first artificial sweetener to be discovered in 1879. Saccharin is 500 times sweeter than sugar and is often found tin dietary foods and beverages.

- Aspartame (e.g., Equal, NutraSweet) - was discovered in 1965, it is an odorless, crystalline powder, which is derived from two amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar and is most likely to be used in frozen desserts, beverages and chewing gum.

- Sucralose (e.g., Splenda, Altern) - is 500 times sweeter than sugar, and is produced from sucrose when three chlorine atoms replace three hydroxyl groups. Sucralose is often used in beverages, frozen desserts, chewing gum and baked goods.

There are two other forms of artificial sweetener which exist, however have not been approved by the FDA are:

- Cyclamate (Sucaryl) - was discovered in 1937 at the University of Illinois.Cyclamate is only 30 times sweeter than sugar, however due to the health implications, which were noted during animal trials with rats in the 1970s it was not approved by the FDA. However, cyclamate as an artificial sweetener is available in European markets.

- Lead Acetate - is an artificial sweetener made from lead. Lead acetate was often used in Ancient Roman times; however, it was abandoned as a sweetener in the modern times when tests concluded that habitual use resulted in lead poisoning.

What are the health effects of using artificial sweeteners?

There have been several pieces of research conducted into the use of artificial sweeteners and their possible links to many health implications including cancer.

Saccharin and aspartame are the two main widely used artificial sweeteners, which have in past scientific studies been found to cause forms of cancer in rats. However, recent studies into these artificial sweeteners have found that although there have been problems in its use with rats there has been no causal link with human consumption and therefore both of these artificial sweeteners have been approved by the FDA.

Alternatives to artificial sweeteners

In most cases the use of artificial sweeteners is safe and often beneficial, however if there are still concerns as to what artificial sweetener is best or the health implications that it might cause on either your daily life or if you are pregnant and the affects that they might have on your unborn child then there is a natural alternative that is widely available and that is honey or Xylitol. Xylitol is an organic compound that can be extracted from various berries as well as oats and mushrooms. Xylitol has also been found to not only be exceptionally safe for pregnant or nursing mothers, but that regular consumption can reduce bacteria which causes tooth decay.

About the Author:
Criss White is a professional author on baby, wedding, and parenting topics. For more information or for candy wedding favors visit Bridal and Wedding Favors.