Unmasking These Artificial Sweeteners

Almost every single day, we wake up to the temptation of sweet treats that lie all around us in various shapes and sizes. The only thing that might stop is our escalating blood sugar levels as diabetics. There are a lot of other low-cal options which may be an option since they’re said to be low on the sugar as well. But how do you know which of these artificial sweeteners are good for your health?

Read on to find out.

Saccharin:

This is perhaps the safest bet when it comes to looking for an artificial sweetener.  Saccharin will not raise your blood glucose levels; and neither is it known to contain any calories. It is also known to be sweeter than sugar (around 200 to 700 times).  Saccharin is generally used to make jams, bakery products, chewing gums and confectioneries. Some people might actually be allergic to it. The use of saccharin got banned early on because there were reports published which suggested that it could be carcinogenic.

Aspartame:

There have been so many debates, time and again, about the usability factors attached to aspartame.  Aspartame could cause for nausea, fatigue and vomiting in some people.  It is also said to be a good 150 times sweeter than sugar. When it gets metabolized, it produces a bi-product which is called methanol; and this product has been known to damage the brain and its functionality in the long run.  Aspartame gets commonly used in products like soft drinks and syrups, which tend to have longer shelf lives.

People with phenylketonuria should completely keep off aspartame. This condition is an inherited disorder which is known to be responsible in increasing the levels of phenylalanine in the blood. If this condition remains untreated for long, it could build up to levels that could be harmful to the body; and this condition has been known to cause for serious health problems like intellectual disabilities.

Sucralose:

Sucralose is a sweetener which is said to be non-nutritive. It is another sweetener that doesn’t raise your blood glucose levels at all; and hence, it is considered safe for consumption by diabetics.  The calories imparted by this sweetener are also considered to be negligible. The FDA banned this sweetener because they found that it could be causing neuro-toxic side effects.

Neotame:

Neotave is said to be a newer version of aspartame.  The only difference, perhaps, is that it is safer for people suffering from phenylketonuria. It is said to be a good 13,000 times sweeter than its natural counterpart, sugar. Hence, it is of utmost importance that people use it sparingly. The long term health hazards, if any, which are related to this sweetener are not yet known of.  It is said to be extremely low in calories and is not responsible in raising blood sugar levels either.

Stevia:

This sweetener is said to be derived from the extract of a certain herb. This sweetener also doesn’t raise blood sugar levels and thus can be used by diabetics. It is completely natural, and this is what makes it safer for consumption. The side-effects of stevia, if any, are unheard of. It might leave you feeling fuller or it could, in rare cases, leave you with a feeling of nausea.

Agave Syrup:

This agave syrup of nectar is another sweetener with a plant-based extract. It is known to get absorbed into the body at a pace slower than sugar, and hence, it provides for a constant flow of energy. However, the whole process of converting starch into agave involves enzymes which are used as catalysts and they’re likely to produce bi-products. This is what reduces its points on the safety meter.

Honey:

This is nature’s sweetener. If diabetics control their sugar intake in other food items, then they could substitute their sweet-intake with honey.