Is Artificial Sweetener Bad for You?
What research has to say about the risks and benefits of aspartame and other ‘fake sugars’
Why drink a soda packed with nearly 40 grams of sugar when there’s a sugar-free alternative that tastes just as sweet? Given the health risks of a diet high in sugar — experts say consuming too much can pave the way for numerous health problems, from tooth decay to an increased rate of mortality from heart disease — it’s not surprising that 41% of American adults report consuming at least one artificially sweetened food or drink daily.
While sugary foods and drinks can cause a spike in consumers’ blood glucose (which can be risky for diabetics), artificial sweeteners may not cause the same issue in the short-term, making them a good option for anyone who wants or needs to reduce sugar intake. And there’s another draw for anyone who might be concerned about calorie intake or weight: Artificial sweeteners provide fewer calories per gram than sugar. That’s because they are engineered to be sweeter than table sugar or high-fructose corn syrup and can therefore be used in far smaller amounts — and, according to the USDA, artificial sweeteners aren’t fully absorbed by the digestive system.
Maureen Seel, a registered and licensed dietitian at Johns Hopkins Health in Baltimore, says…
