Nonnutritive Sweeteners aka zero calorie sweeteners have
been sold commercially for almost three decades. I am often asked if these
sweeteners are carcinogenic (cancer causing). However, the truth is, it much
more difficult to determine than many would assume. First, based on all of the clinical studies to date, there
is very little direct evidence that
these sweeteners are harmful to humans. However, I won’t go running to cosco to
stock up on Sweet-n -low™ just yet...
Let’s investigate; here is (a brief summery) of the most
popular artificial nonnutritive sweeteners:
Aspartame (NutraSweet™
and Equal™): 180 times sweeter than sugar. Was discovered by
accident in a lab in the 60’s. The sweetness of aspartame is derived from the
synthetic combination of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine.
Saccharin
(Sweet-n-low™): is 500 times sweeter than
sugar. Like aspartame, saccharine
was discovered by accident in a laboratory in 1879. Saccharin, the most controversial of the artificial
sweeteners, was banned in the 70’s due to a Canadian study that linked saccharin
to bladder cancer in rats. However
the rats were consuming exceptionally high quantities, the equivalent of a
human drinking 800 diet sodas per day! Yikes!!
Sucralose (Splenda™): Is 600 times sweeter than regular sugar was approved by the
FDA in the 80’s. Sucralose is
manufactured as a chemical alteration of sugar cane. Splenda™ become popular through its initial ads where it
claimed that it came from real sugar. Soon after, the makers of saccharine sued
Splenda™ for not making an accurate claim in their ads. Later, Splenda™ removed
this claim from their advertising campaign.
Although the FDA generally recognizes these as safe (GRAS), there
is also a cap to the daily-recommended consumption. In conclusion, like any
other food, especially any artificial foods, moderation (my
personal mantra) is my best suggestion.
Eat Mindfully,
Kate
Click here for part one:http://nutritionfixation.blogspot.com/2012/07/sweetener-101-know-your-sugar.html
© Kate Ezra Wolf, 2012
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