Understanding Artificial Sweeteners
What Are Artificial Sweeteners?
Artificial sweeteners are a type of sugar substitute that has fewer calories. They’ve been tested a lot to make sure they’re safe for everyone, including kids and pregnant women. But, if someone has a condition called PKU, they should be careful with a sweetener called aspartame.
Different Types of Artificial Sweeteners:
- Saccharin (Sweet’N Low, Sugar Twin): Back in the 1970s, some studies suggested saccharin might cause bladder cancer in rats, which caused a big discussion. However, later studies with people showed that saccharin doesn’t seem to cause cancer.
- Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal): Aspartame is used a lot because it’s safe. But, it can’t handle high heat, so it’s not good for cooking things for a long time.
- Acesulfame Potassium (Sweet One, Sunett): This sweetener is okay to use when you’re cooking or baking. It got the green light in 1988 after many studies.
- Sucralose (Splenda): Approved in 1998, sucralose is super sweet—600 times sweeter than regular sugar! Plus, it’s okay to use for baking.
- Stevia: This sweetener comes from a plant and is used in South America. The FDA is still looking at it because there’s not a lot of research on it. Some worries include its effects on health over the long term.
- Tagatose: This sweetener is kind of like fructose (a type of sugar) but doesn’t cause tooth decay. Eating too much might upset your stomach, though.
- Neotame: Approved in 2002, neotame is incredibly sweet—8000 times more than sugar!
- Sugar Alcohols (mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and others): These are not like regular sugar. They have fewer calories but might make your stomach upset if you have a lot.
In Summary:
Artificial sweeteners can be a good choice if you’re looking to cut down on calories. Each type has its own benefits and things to watch out for. Whether you’re baking or just looking for a way to sweeten your coffee without the extra calories, there’s an artificial sweetener out there for you. Just remember, everything in moderation!