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"Saccharin, the oldest sugar substitute, is 300 times as sweet as sugar.
It's found in Sweet 'N Low, the popular tabletop sweetener. After studies
in the 1970s found it caused bladder cancer in rats, products containing
saccharin had to carry warning labels. But subsequent research failed to
confirm a risk to people. In 2000 the government removed saccharin
from its list of cancer-causing substances. Still, some human research
suggests (but doesn't prove) a link between heavy consumption-six or
more servings a day-and cancer. Any increased risk is probably very small."
"Aspartame, used in most diet drinks, is sold as NutraSweet and Equal. It's
not as sweet as saccharin and is more expensive. Through the years, it
has been blamed for a host of conditions, including brain tumors, seizures,
birth defects, multiple sclerosis and lupus, though there's no evidence
to back up these claims. Some people also report side effects such as
headaches, dizziness and indigestion, but no one knows how widespread
they are. The only proven risk is to the small number of people with
conditions, such as advanced liver disease, that cause problems metabolizing
phenylalanine, an amino acid in aspartame." People with the disorder
phenylketonuria (PKU) are unable to metabolize phenylalanine, so
they must avoid aspartame.
Quoted directly from The Wall Street Journal, Personal Journal,
Aches & Claims, Health Risks WIth Sweeteners?, p.D4, 5/13/03,
by Robert J. Davis.
"Acesulfame potassium is sold as Sunett and Sweet One and as the tabletop product Sweet One.
In some products it's combined with other sweeteners. Unlike aspartame, it doesn't
break down when heated, so it can be used for baking. It has been tesed less
thoroughly than aspartame, so researchers tend to know less about it."
Quoted directly from The Wall Street Journal, Personal Journal,
Aches & Claims, Health Risks WIth Sweeteners?, p.D4, 5/13/03,
by Robert J. Davis.
Sucralose (Splenda) is made from sugar but is created by a complex, multi-step
process in which the sugar is converted to sucralose by selectively
substituting three chlorine atoms for three hydroxl groups. Marketed
as Splenda, it is 600 times as sweet as sugar and is found
in some diet drinks and other products and is also ideal for baking. After
five years on the U.S. market, sucralose hasn't been linked to any adverse health
effects. The independent consumer group Center for Science in the Public
Interest ranks sucralose the safest of the four sweeteners.
Stevia is made from a South American herb called Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
and is estimated to be some 150 to 400 times sweeter than sugar.
Stevia is almost calorie-free, so weight watchers love it. It is
ideal for children since it prevents cavities. Unlike sugar, it does
not trigger a rise in blood sugar. You won't get a sudden burst of
energy followed by fatigue and a need for another "fix." It is usually
found in a brownish liquid concentrate and only a few drops are needed
to sweeten a drink.
See
Stevia for more information.
Pure xylitol is a white, crystalline, natural substance that
looks and tastes like sugar. Xylitol's sweeteness is equal to sugar,
but it contains 40% fewer calories than sugar. Xylitol is recommended
for diabetics, since it does not require insulin to be metabolized.
"In the U.S., xylitol is approved as a food additive in unlimited
quantity for foods with special dietary purposes.
Over 25 years of testing in widely different conditions confirm that
xylitol is the best sweetener for teeth. Xylitol use reduces tooth
decay rates both in high-risk groups (high caries prevalence, poor
nutrition, and poor oral hygiene) and in low risk groups (low caries
incidence using all current prevention recommendations). Sugarfree
chewing gums and candies made with xylitol as the principal sweetener
have already received official endorsements from six national dental
associations."
Quote from
Xylitol
If you have epilepsy, ask your doctor is Xylitol is safe for you.
"Neotame, a synthetic derivative of a combination of aspartic acid and
phenylalanine, the same two amino acids that are used to make aspartame.
The bond between the amino acidss is harder to break down than
aspartame's, so neotame is more stable." " Our bodies can't metabolize
neotame, and only tiny amounts are needed to sweeten foods. Unlike
aspartame, neotame isn't broken down in the body into the amino acid
phenylalanine, which is toxic to people with the rare disorder
phenylketonuria (PKU). Animal and human studies have raised no safety
concerns." From Nutrition Action Newsletter, May 2004, p.8.
"Whatever sweetener you choose, don't consider it an excuse to indulge
regularly in sweets. Even treats that are sugar-free still contain
empty calories. If you find yourself guzzling diet drinks all day,
try to cut back and go with water instead. Regardless of what some diet books
say, don't feel compelled to replace all sugar with artificial sweeteners.
Sugar isn't poison, and sugar substitutes are not a panacea. Both suould be used
the same way: in moderation."
A note from Dr. Horwitz- Pure sugar is not good for you and should
ideally be replaced by honey or better yet cooking with other spices.
As far as the above sweeteners, I recommend using Stevia. However,
try to retrain your tastebuds by weaning yourself off sweeteners.
You will be
amazed at how successful you can be at this and how terrible many
things will taste once you've trained your tastebuds.
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ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS