You may consume sugar daily to sweeten your beverages or foods. This ingredient contains calories and sweetness and appears in our kitchens as table sugar or in commercial baked goods and processed foods. If you try to reduce your sugar consumption, you may choose artificial sugar substitutes. These products are lower in calories than sugar and often have as much or more sweetness. There are also natural sugar substitutes, such as honey and agave nectar, that are alternatives to regular sugars. It is important to be aware that sugar, and sugar substitutes, may pose some dangers to your health.
Potential Risks of Sugar in Your Diet
Sugar can contribute to possible weight gain, tooth decay and a poorly nourished body. You may experience weight gain because sugar contains calories. In addition, poor nutrition can result when you replace healthy fruits and vegetables, with sugar, which has no nutrient value. Sugar in your diet may contribute to diabetes. It may also play a role in hyperactivity in children. Consume sugars only in moderation or limit them in your diet.
Potential Risks of Natural Sugar Substitutes
Some sugar substitutes are referred to as natural products, including agave nectar, maple syrup, molasses, maple sugar and honey. These are less processed and refined than table sugars, however, they still undergo some processing. Although these substitutes are considered safe, they are still a source of sugar and consuming too much of them can lead to tooth decay, weight gain or poor nutrition. Because of this, you still need to monitor your intake of these sugars and limit them in your diet.
Artificial Sweeteners Linked to Cancer
You may choose to substitute real sugar with artificial sweeteners. These products include saccharin, sucralose, aspartame and neotame. Although the use of artificial sweeteners has been criticized since the 1970s as a possible link to the onset of cancer, the Mayo Clinic website says that there is no verified scientific evidence that these substitutes can cause cancer, and they are safe when consumed in limited quantity. Additionally, artificial sweeteners are classified "generally recognized as safe" by the Federal Drug Administration.
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