I've been talking about artificial sweeteners for years! Our son used to kill ants with Splenda when he was a kid. And to think people believe it's healthy to consume that junk? Not this family!
What are artificial sweeteners?
Artificial sweeteners, or sugar substitutes, are chemicals added to some foods and beverages to make them taste sweet.
People often refer to them as “intense sweeteners” because they provide a taste similar to that of table sugar but up to several thousand times sweeter.
Besides its benefits, animal studies have convincingly proven that artificial sweeteners cause weight gain, brain tumors, bladder cancer and many other health hazards.
Common artificial sweeteners:
The following artificial sweeteners are allowed for use in the United States and/or European Union:
-Aspartame. Sold under the brand names NutraSweet, Equal, or Sugar Twin, aspartame is 200 times sweeter than table sugar.
-Acesulfame potassium. Also known as acesulfame K, it’s 200 times sweeter than table sugar. It’s suited for cooking and baking and sold under the brand names Sunnet or Sweet One.
-Advantame. This sweetener is 20,000 times sweeter than table sugar and suited for cooking and baking.
-Aspartame-acesulfame salt. Sold under the brand name Twinsweet, it’s 350 times sweeter than table sugar.
-Cyclamate, which is 50 times sweeter than table sugar, was used for cooking and baking. However, it has been banned in the United States since 1970.
-Neotame. Sold under the brand name Newtame, this sweetener is 13,000 times sweeter than table sugar and suited for cooking and baking.
-Neohesperidin. It’s 340 times sweeter than table sugar and suited for cooking, baking, and mixing with acidic foods. Note that it is not approved for use in the United States.
-Sacchari. Sold under the brand names Sweet’N Low, Sweet Twin, or Necta Sweet, saccharin is 700 times sweeter than table sugar.
-Sucralose, which is 600 times sweeter table sugar, is suited for cooking, baking, and mixing with acidic foods. It’s sold under the brand name Splenda.
Animal studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can cause the pounds to creep up, and, more alarmingly, lead to brain tumors, bladder cancer, and other conditions. The scientific community is split whether artificial sweeteners are safe under all conditions or unsafe at any dose. Because of this I avoid artificial sweeteners.
If you need something other than sugar you can use stevia, monk fruit, honey or maple syrup.