When we reach for an artificial sweetener or a product containing it, it’s often because we want to make a health-conscious decision.
Artificial sweeteners are included in products advertised as zero-sugar, low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, and ketogenic (or keto). But manufacturers of these ingredients are not openly saying that they come with health risks of their own.
Research supports the concerns over the following sugar alternatives, so let’s take a look at what they are and the issues associated with them.
1. Xylitol
What is this:Xylitol is a type of sugar substitute known as a sugar alcohol. It is found naturally in plants and some fruits and vegetables. It’s not unusual to see it in everyday products like sugar-free candies, baked goods, gum, and toothpaste.
what the research shows: A study led by researchers at Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute found that higher levels of xylitol circulating in the body were associated with an increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart attack over a three-year period.
Patients in the study who had the highest levels of xylitol in their blood were the most likely to experience a cardiovascular event.
2. Erythritol
What is this: Erythritol is an artificial sweetener 70% sweet In the form of traditional sugar and made by fermenting corn. It is often recommended for people who have diabetes, metabolic syndrome or obesity – even though these populations have a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
what the research shows: A study published in the scientific journal Nature Medicine found that erythritol may promote the formation of blood clots.
The body also struggles to metabolize erythritol, so it enters the bloodstream and is excreted from the body through urine.
3. Aspartame
What is this: : aspartame A chemical sweetener made from a combination of aspartic acid and methyl ester of phenylalanine, which is the basis of proteins found naturally in milk, meat, and some vegetables. But aspartame can only be made by manually fusing two chemicals together.
It can be found in thousands of foods and beverages, including diet sodas and low-calorie ready-made meals. Aspartame is sold under brand names such as NutraSweet, Equal and Sugar Twin.
what the research shows: A 2022 study published in The BMJ, the British Medical Association journal, found a possible link between aspartame consumption and a higher risk of cerebrovascular events (which affect blood flow in the brain).
World Health Organization it also says May May be carcinogenic to humans, but research is limited.
4. Acesulfame Potassium
What is this: Acesulfame potassium is also known as Ace-K and Acesulfame K. It is usually made as a mixture of acesulfame potassium with other sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose. it’s more than that 200 times sweeter Compared to sugar and sold under brand names such as Sunat and Sweet One.
what the research shows:2022 Also included in the BMJ study, acesulfame potassium is linked to a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease, in which the heart’s arteries are unable to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart.
Other research suggests it may interfere with appetite regulation, blood sugar control, and body weight. The FDA suggests consuming no more than 15 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) per day.
5. Sucralose
What is this: Sucralose is made from sugar and A chemical process Containing chlorine atoms. The sweetener is currently sold under the brand name Splenda.
what the research shows: A 2022 BMJ study also links this artificial sweetener to a higher risk of coronary heart disease — the leading cause of death in the US, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The study researchers said their findings suggest that – at the very least – using artificial sweeteners as a substitute for added sugar is unlikely to provide any benefit to people hoping to reduce their risk of heart disease.