Since I am a lover of all things natural and am trying to ditch all the “man mad food products,” you can imagine my stance on artificial sweeteners. They may save you calories, but there’s growing evidence that they can increase your appetite for sweets and other carbohydrates causing you to eat more later in the day anyway. Therefore, you don’t really save any calories at all. Also, studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can stimulate high insulin levels in your body too, which again can promote fat storage.
Artificial sweeteners include aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal), saccharin (Sweet’N Low, Sweet Twin, and Necta Sweet), acesulfame K (Sunett and Sweet One), neotame (not yet marketed under a brand name), and sucralose (Splenda). All of the artificial sweeteners listed above are nasty chemicals that the human body is simply not meant to ingest. Many health issues that have been related to artificial sweeteners in scientific studies, as well as observations, are:
- some have been linked to potential cancer risks
- negative effects on the liver, kidneys, and other organs
- stimulating cravings
- gastrointestinal problems
- developmental problems in children and fetuses
- headaches
- cell damage
- male infertility
- allergic reactions
- depression
- central nervous system disorders
Now some of the above potential health problems are definitely not proven as fact in studies. However, some of them have been shown in animal studies given high doses. Also, if you do some research, you’ll find many people that attribute the use of artificial sweeteners over the years with all sorts of illnesses in themselves or in family members.
Of course, despite all of the health issues potentially associated with artificial sweeteners, the companies that sell the products will continue to claim that they are fully safe. Don’t believe them! Some people think that if the FDA or government approves something then it is healthy. All one needs to do is take a look at the fact that cigarettes are legal to know that this isn’t true.
I don’t know about you, but regardless of whether or not these artificial sweeteners are proven to have these harmful side effects, I would rather err on the side of caution. I’m not using them and I urge my family and friends to stay away from them as well. “Artificial” is the key term here… I am sticking with natural ingredients in my home.
To learn more about natural sugar substitutes, read my article HERE.
