Artificial Sweeteners

May 17, 2017

I can not stress this enough, we all need to stop using artificial sweeteners. Though many of us believe that due to the lack of calories, we can consume artificial sweeteners, the side effects are harsh and can be deadly.  

Artificial sweeteners can often cause the following symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Migraines
  • Weight Gain
  • Heart Disease
  • Cancer

 

Due to artificial sweeteners causing further sugar cravings, they have led to type 2 diabetes, severe kidney damage, and cardiovascular disease. According to Dr. Axe, the effects of artificial sweeteners on atherosclerosis found that daily consumption of drinks with artificial sweeteners creates a 35 percent greater risk of metabolic syndrome and a 67 percent increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Atherosclerosis is when plaque builds up inside the arteries leading to strokes, heart attacks and even death. Proper metabolic function is necessary for weight management and cardiovascular health.

 

With a better understanding of the risks of artificial sweeteners, here is a list of the sweeteners you should avoid. The artificial sweeteners in bold are the most common and yet the worst sweeteners for you.

  • Aspartame
  • Acesulfame K
    • Alitame
    • Cyclamate
    • Dulcin
    • Equal
    • Glucin
    • Kaltame
    • Mogrosides
    • Neotame
    • NutraSweet
    • Nutrinova
    • Phenlalanine
  • Saccharin
    • Splenda
    • Sorbitol
  • Sucralose
    • Twinsweet
    • Sweet ‘N Low
  • Xylitol

 

The five worst artificial sweeteners are the most common in the human diet. Aspartame has been directly linked to impaired memory and excess stress on the brain. Mood disorders, migraines, dizziness, and headaches are also common side effects of aspartame. Sucralose, often known as splenda, was originally marketed as the “healthy” artificial sweetener. However, sucralose contains chlorine, which is one of the most dangerous chemicals for humans to ingest. Acesulfame K (sweet one and sweet ‘n safe), is a derivative of acetoacetic acid. According to SweetPosion, acesulfame K, “produced lung tumors, breast tumors, rare types of tumors of other organs (such as the thymus gland), several forms of leukemia and chronic respiratory disease in several rodent studies, even when less than maximum doses were given.” This is typically the sweetener used in chewing gum, alcoholic drinks, candy and yogurt. Saccharin also know as Sweet ‘N Low, has been linked to cause bladder cancer in rats while Doctors have attempted to dismiss the studies linking it to human cancer. According to Cancer.gov, saccharin was required to carry a label stating, ““Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin, which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals.” Xylitol is a sugar alcohol often known to be a healthier substitution. If you are anything like me, these sugar alcohols are not absorbed into the body and cause an allergic reaction. This may often including bloating, gas, indigestion, cramping, and diarrhea.
For safest and best results, avoid using artificial sweeteners in general. The healthy alternatives raw blue agave, natural maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia, raw honey, and cinnamon.