1. Sugar Consumption Has Risen Significantly in the Past 150 Years
According to nutritionist Ann Louise Gittleman, author of "Get the Sugar Out," Americans have increased their per capita consumption of sugar from 22 to 180 pounds since 1850. That nearly nine-fold increase is seen in everything from breakfast cereals to packaged meats, snack foods, beverages, soups, condiments, vitamins and even prescription drugs. Gittleman agrees with nutrition and health researchers who link sugar over-consumption to 60 different ailments. Human cravings for all things sweet is innate, as much of human history has been a matter of scrounging adequate nutrients for survival, much of that found in sweet fruit. Availability lends itself to excess.
2. Several Sugar Substitutes Are Approved in the U.S.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals found that Americans average 20 teaspoons of sugar per day. At least 60 percent of this is from corn sweeteners, generally referred to as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) on food and beverage labels. In response to concerns about this, manufacturers have successfully achieved FDA approval of four sugar substitutes: saccharine, aspartame, acesulfame-K and sucralose. Others are under currently under FDA review.
3. There Are Concerns About Sugar Substitutes
Artificial sweeteners have been controversial to consumers and health advocates as far back as 1911, when saccharine was already in use. Tests in the 1970s suggested that lab rats given extremely large doses (an equivalent of 800 diet sodas per day) of saccharine had higher rates of bladder cancer. However, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that "epidemiological studies do not provide clear evidence" of a link to human cancer. Regina Ziegler, Ph.D. and an NCI epidemiologist, states that, "Typical intakes of saccharine at normal levels for adults show no evidence of a public health problem."
4. Sugar Substitutes Can Promote Nutritious Eating, Minus the Calories of Sugar
The use of sugar substitutes to promote better eating overall has many proponents. For example, Gail Frank, registered dietitian and professor of nutrition at California State University Long Beach, stresses the importance of breakfast. She says, "Some avoid oatmeal because of their negative perception of sweeteners. You can use some fruit to sweeten it, or a little bit of sugar. But I am not opposed to sugar substitutes. Scientific data show that there is no risk."
5. Substitute Diet Soda Pop and See Big Results
When working on my own nutrition book, my co-author, Deanna Conte, explained to me that the person who consumes four 150-calorie cans of regular soda during the work week can lose 10 pounds in just three months simply by switching to diet soda (600 calories per day x 5 days x 4 weeks x 3 months = 36,000 fewer calories). Continue that for a year and it can actually add up to a 41-pound weight loss. That?s a pretty easy substitution for such dramatic results.
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