Artificial Sweeteners And Things You May Not Know About Them

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Don't decide on an artificial sweetener until you know more. Health care personnel are talking about potential long-term issues of man-made sweeteners. Consumers use them for their own reasons, and there are many types to select from.

What are artificial sweeteners?

Like their name implies, synthetic sweeteners will sweeten food and beverage, but are fake.

Why use man-made sweeteners

People who purchase man-made sweeteners tend to use them for varying reasons, but the most common ones are:

• To aid weight loss - because synthetic sweeteners are low in calories, this means that people who are on a weight loss diet can consume the same foods as they regularly would whilst still reducing weight.

• Your mouth will thank you. A few of the synthetic sweeteners actually decrease the PH level in plaque.

• Diabetes - diabetics have a hard time maintaining their blood sugar levels, and consuming synthetic sweeteners can allow them to enjoy a less boring diet while still enabling them to sensibly track their blood sugar levels.

• Save your budget. Because man-made sweeteners are cheaper to create, they usually cost less than actual sugar.


What kinds of synthetic sweeteners are on the market?

The primary types of man-made sweeteners that are widely available in the States, and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are:

• Saccharin (e.g., Sweet 'n' Low) - was the earliest artificial sweetener to be created in 1879. Saccharin is 500 times sweeter than sugar and is often used in dietary foods and drinks.

• Aspartame (e.g., Equal, NutraSweet) - was found in 1965, it has no smell to it, is a crystalline powder, which is made from two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartame is 200 times sweeter than sugar and is most commonly used in frozen treats, sodas and juices and bubble gum.

• Sucralose (e.g., Splenda, Altern) - is 500 times sweeter than sugar, and is made from sucrose when three chlorine atoms replace three hydroxyl groups. Sucralose is mostly used in drinks, frozen sweets, bubble gum and edibles made of dough.


What are the health effects of consuming synthetic sweeteners?

Some tests imply a possible connection between man-made sweeteners and cancer or other physical issues.

Saccharin and aspartame are the most common widely purchased synthetic sweeteners, which have in past research studies been found to increase the change for forms of cancer in rats. However, further studies into these synthetic sweeteners have discovered that even though there have been problems in its use with rats there has been no causal connection with human use and therefore those same artificial sweeteners have been allowed on the market by the FDA.


Read on for other sugar substitutes to sweeten things

Although artificial sweeteners are commonly deemed safe and even beneficial for you in some situations, honey or Xylitol is a natural alternative to artificial sweeteners, if you are worried about your well-being, or the health of your unborn baby, if you are pregnant. Xylitol is an organic compound that can be taken from many berries in addition to oats and mushrooms. Xylitol has also been established to not only be exceptionally safe for soon-to-be or nursing mommies, but that regular use can diminish the amount of bacteria which cause tooth decay.

A professional author on topics baby, wedding and parenting, Criss White has authored an abundance of articles. For other information, or for candy wedding favors (http://www.bridalandweddingfavors.com/candy-wedding-favors.html), visit Bridal and Wedding Favors.

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