The safety of artificial sweeteners has long stirred a heated debate. Several studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Experts advise choosing natural sugars whenever possible, while individuals with diabetes may want to consider xylitol. Artificial sweeteners are used in food processing and beverages to replace real sugar….

Widely embraced as a safe sugar substitute, artificial sweeteners are now under scrutiny for their potential impact on the immune system. Recent studies, mainly focusing on sucralose, have unveiled alarming findings. Despite the long-standing acceptance of artificial sweeteners as calorie-free choices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the public, evidence indicates sucralose…

The world’s most widely used and controversial artificial sweetener is slated to be labeled “possibly carcinogenic to humans” next month by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer research arm—decades after scientists first sounded the alarm about the sugar substitute’s cancer-causing properties. The International Agency for Research (IARC)’s external experts conducted a safety review of aspartame…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised people not to consume nonsugar sweeteners if they are attempting to control their body weight. The health agency said the latest recommendation is based on the “findings of a systematic review of the available evidence,” which it said suggests that nonsugar sweeteners—including acesulfame potassium, aspartame, advantame, cyclamate, neotame, saccharin, sucralose, stevia, and stevia…

A friend of mine who has diabetes always drinks sugar-free beverages because he thinks these drinks are not harmful. However, this is more a myth than truth. Sugar-free products that you believe are good for health may be the opposite! Common Types of Artificial Sweeteners As we all know, excessive sugar intake can lead to…

New research from Cleveland Clinic (pdf) finds erythritol, a common artificial sweetener, was associated with a significantly increased risk of heart attack and stroke—but experts said the findings aren’t as worrying as they sound. Erythritol Is Naturally Produced in Our Bodies Erythritol is a widely used artificial sweetener increasingly used in many processed and “low-carb”…

More people are becoming aware of the harmful effects of white sugar on the body—including the risk of obesity and high blood sugar. As an alternative many are turning to artificial sweeteners. While artificial sweeteners offer a sweet taste with low or no calories, their effects on our health are controversial. A study published in…

Artificial sweeteners are a popular way to try to keep slim, but French researchers suggest they may also increase your risk for a heart attack or stroke. The finding stems from tracking heart health among more than 103,000 men and women in France for close to a decade. “We observed that a higher intake of artificial…

Humans have an evolutionary preference for sweetness. Sweet foods, like fruit and honey, were an important energy source for our ancestors. However, in the modern world, sweetened foods are readily available, very cheap and advertised extensively. Now, we are consuming too much sugar in foods and drinks – the kind that is added rather than…

“Sugar-free” might sound healthy, but a new study hints that people who consume a lot of artificial sweeteners may face a slightly higher cancer risk. Experts stressed that the findings do not prove sugar substitutes are the culprit. But they said it is wise for people to limit not only added sugars, but also the processed foods…