A myriad of artificial sweeteners are sold in the market and consumers as well as businesses in the food industry have been using it on a daily basis. These sugar substitutes are used in different products such as sodas, yogurts, bread and processed foods, among others. Despite its popularity, these sugar alternatives have been under scrutiny in recent years, with supporting and opposing groups expressing their take on its benefits and draw backs.
What Exactly Are Artificial Sweeteners?
Artificial sweeteners are products with the primary purpose of substituting the conventional table sugar or sucrose households and food manufacturers are using. They may be produced synthetically or can have natural substances such as herbs. The Food and Drug Administration has approved some artificial sweeteners available for public consumption which include Aspartame, Saccharin and Neotama.
List of Pros of Artificial Sweeteners
1. It is good for diabetic patients.
Those who are in favor of the use of artificial sweeteners say that these products allow people who have diabetes and those who need to regulate their blood sugar to not deprive themselves from enjoying their meals and giving in to their cravings for sweet treats.
2. It is helpful for people who want to lose weight.
For people who want to shed off extra pounds, reducing caloric intake can give positive results. This is what supporters of the use of artificial sweeteners consider to be one of the benefits of these products. Sugar substitutes either contain lesser calories or no calories at all which makes it effective in weight loss.
3. It is safe for pregnant women.
Some supporters of artificial sweetener use base the results of tests that say it is safe for pregnant women as one of its positive features. For this reason, pregnant women who need to make dietary alterations and suffer from diabetes can use this product without having to worry about complications.
List of Cons of Artificial Sweeteners
1. It can lead to health problems such as cancer.
People who contend the benefits of sugar alternatives are saying studies that date back in the 1970s have reported results of tumors in the bladders of animal models that have been made to consume artificial sweeteners. Other
2. It lacks nutritional value, among other things.
Some nutritionists are not advising people to consume diet sodas because they have artificial sweeteners and can result to increasing the taste for sweets. These views and reports that it lacks nutritional value and can contain a substance that can lead to bone loss are reasons that sugar substitutes not appealing to opponents.
3. Not all are approved by the FDA.
There are some sugar substitutes being sold in supermarkets that are considered to be only dietary supplements and are not approved by the FDA. This is one of the concerns of those who are against artificial sweeteners. Reports from people who experienced negative effects from its use and the lack of approval from the FDA make them more skeptical about these sugar alternatives.
Conclusion
Despite the contentions about the advantages and disadvantages of artificial sweeteners, these products will always be commercially viable and available to consumers. It is always important to take all these things into consideration and weigh the pros and cons of using sugar substitutes before using them on food and beverages.