According to an article published by the "Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine," more than 3,500 food products contain one or more artificial sweeteners. Primarily found in soft drinks, in 2008 approximately 65 percent of American households purchased at least one product containing sucralose, the most popular artificial sweetener. Although the body is temporarily satiated by the sweet taste of artificial sweeteners, accumulating evidence suggests that they also enhance the appetite, are addictive and may actually contribute to weight gain.
Sucralose
Sucralose, trade name Splenda, is a synthetic chemical created by adding three chlorine molecules to the sugar molecule. Because the body cannot identify sucralose as a natural substance, the sucralose molecules are passed through the system without being absorbed, and so are considered calorie-free. Although the FDA approved sucralose in 1998, most studies to determine the safety of the sweetener have been limited to laboratory animals, and there are few long-term studies with human subjects. Self-reported data collected by the Sucralose Toxicity Information Center suggest headaches, skin rashes, agitation and intestinal discomfort as frequent side effects of sucralose. In a study cited by NaturalNews.com, animals fed Splenda experienced a 50 percent reduction in intestinal bacteria.
Aspartame
Aspartame is the primary ingredient in the artificial sweeteners Equal and NutraSweet. Although aspartame contains the same amount of calories as sugar, it is 200 times sweeter, and so considerably less is required to sweeten food. People who cannot metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine should not take Aspartame. Anecdotal evidence continues to associate the consumption of aspartame with headaches, depression, dementia and other maladies. However, since its approval in 1981, risks to human health have not been confirmed by the FDA. The American Heart Association states that aspartame does not cause serious side effects, and is safe for use by diabetics and people on a weight-loss regimen.
Neotame
Neotame is an artificial sweetener approved for commercial foods, but is not yet available for use by consumers. Because neotame remains stable in high temperatures and has zero calories, it is a common sugar substitute used in commercially produced baked goods, carbonated soft drinks, dairy products and salad dressings. According to NaturalNews.com, neotame is associated with neurological illness; however, with the exception of headaches, limited studies in human subjects report few side effects. As with all new generation artificial sweeteners, neotame requires years of study on human subjects before it can be considered safe for human consumption, advises the Women to Women website.
References
- "Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine"; Gain Weight by "Going Diet?" Artificial Sweeteners and the Neurobiology of Sugar Cravings; Qing Yang; June 2010
- Women to Women: Sugar Substitutes and the Potential Danger of Splenda
- NaturalNews: Duke University Study Links Splenda with Weight Gain, Health Problems
- American Heart Association: Artificial Sweeteners
- NaturalNews: Artificial Sweeteners Stay in the Water Supply
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