Media has identified sugar as one of the culprits for the longest time. The food industry found ways to adapt to a healthy revolution by finding convenient alternatives that won't compromise our food experience. Among the famous innovations is the the availability of a sugar-free option in everything: desserts, diet drinks and sodas, savory foods and breads, energy bars, gums, teas, chocolates, yogurts, creamers, toothpastes, mouthwash and vitamins. What exactly do we know about artificial sweeteners? Are they as life-saving as they seem ought be?
America's Cravings For Sweets
America's sweet tooth adapted to the many changes in the American market shelves over the past years. New York Times confirmed that 11% of food items will now bear the label of reduced sugar by this year. Reducing the amount of sugar does not mean these products will taste less sweet. Somehow, the sweetness must still be maintained- and in order for this to happen, artificial sweeteners must be added as an ingredient.
To date, there are 5 approved artificial sweeteners- aspartame, neotame, saccharin (which many countries have actually banned,) sucralose, and acesulfame.
Studies on these artificial sweeteners have bee done on lab rats. Symptoms recorded involve wide range of shrunken thymus glands, kidney disorders, enlarged livers, infertility, and cancers.
Short-term research has also been conducted on humans and the results involve digestive upset, bloating, weight gain and mood alterations such as depression, mania and anxiety.
The manufacturers of these sweeteners have kept track of data from its users throughout the years. The collected data reflected some potential hazards that may be associated with this artificial, calorie-free substitutes.
Weight Gain:
Artificial sweeteners are labelled to have zero calories. However, studies show that aspartame and saccharin may cause increase in weight by causing imbalances in the homeostatic state of the body.
Insulin Reaction:
Artificial sweeteners are not technically considered sugars. In fact, they are substances that are 200-600 times sweeter than usual table sugar. They are also said to be stronger than high fructose corn syrup. Such sweetness will trigger and overstimulate sugar receptor sites in the body, especially in sensitive individuals. This will cause the pancreas to secrete insulin, similar to what it does with sugar. This reaction may cause health risks for individuals with diabetes or difficulty in regulating sugar levels in their body.
Effects on the brain:
These artificial sweeteners have been reported too illicit mood disorders. Reactions such as dizziness, agitation and irritability, nervousness, migraines, depression to manic episodes have been reported by its users.
Skin inflammation:
A list of skin reactions have been reported in connection with the use of these artificial sweeteners-numbness of the skin, swelling and inflammation, rashes and hives.
GI Reaction:
Most common GI reactions reported involve bloating, intestinal cramping, diarrhea, and constipation.Severe cases reported even involve loss of beneficial gut bacteria which can lead to damage to the GI tract. This can consequently lead to food allergies.
Cancer:
One of the most known risks of using artificial sweeteners is cancer. Lab studies have reported animals to have developed rain tumors, breast cancer, lymphomas, leukemias and bladder cancers.
There is no further evidence that will support the longterm effects of artificial sweeteners to humans. Lab studies done in rats often involve exaggerated dosages, therefore exhibiting pronounced effects. This fact however can imply that regular consumption may cause similar symptoms.
