Many people are familiar with Aspartame. Some see this as a popular artificial sweetener which is supposed to be good for two possible reasons 1) as a sugar substitute that is usable by those with sugar diabetes, and 2) as weight loss dietary supplement.
Although I can understand the reasons why some would want to use a sugar substitute, up until now I have not seen a safe artificial sweetener. There is ongoing controversy over whether artificial sweetener usage poses health risks. Personally, I would have to agree that there are health risks involved.
Currently the U.S. has approved six artificial sweeteners: saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium, and stevia. Each of these have questionable research behind their approval and continued usage. One popular artificial sweetener, cyclamate, has now been banned in the U.S. What bothers me is that so many food items today contain these artificial sweeteners, and some of them go by a multitude of names. Beware of anything that says “Light or Lite” or “No Sugar Added” or “Sugar-Free.” Most likely these items contain one of these artificial sweeteners. Read the labels, and familiarize yourself with any alternate names for sweeteners.
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