Select Page

Artificial Sweeteners Linked To Poor Health

Sweeter than sugar, zero calories, and packaged in pretty pastel wrapping paper, it’s no wonder artificial sweeteners, such as Equal, Splenda, and Sweet ‘N Low, are popular sugar replacements.

So, why do so many healthcare professionals cringe when they hear of their patients consuming artificial sweeteners?

Research has linked the consumption of artificial sweeteners to a growing list of health concerns and symptoms, including:

    • Overeating / weight gain
    • Hyperactivity / insomnia
    • Lightheadedness / brain fog / fatigue
    • Glucose intolerance / diabetes
  • Poor gut health / diarrhea / abdominal pain / gas / bloating

Exactly how artificial sweeteners might contribute to these various health conditions isn’t entirely clear, but recent studies suggest that these sugar substitutes alter the make-up and function of our gut bacteria as well as the activity of our neurotransmitters.

Whether or not to consume artificial sweeteners is your choice, but we choose to avoid them as much as possible because we’re not convinced they’re safe, they taste bad (to us), and we like real food.  

Staying away from artificial sweeteners involves more than forgoing the yellow, blue and pink sweetener packets.  You have to check ingredient labels for the following FDA-approved artificial sweeteners in the United States:

  • Acesulfame potassium (also called acesulfame K or Ace-K)
  • Aspartame (Equal)
  • Saccharin (Sweet n’ Low)
  • Sucralose (Splenda)
  • Neotame
  • Advantam

These ingredients hide in a variety of “sugar-free”, “diet” and “light” foods and beverages, including soft drinks, yogurts, cereals, puddings, baked goods, candies, granola bars, and more.

For example, Dannon’s Light & Fit Strawberry Yogurt, a popular choice among calorie-counters, includes both sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Get Your FREE Nutritious and Delicious eBook!

Yours FREE when you sign up for our newsletter that's packed full of practical tips, strategies and more to help battle IBD and gut issues!

Nice, you have successfully subscribed! Check your email for a link to the download Nutritious and Delicious!

10 Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Friendly Recipes

Yours FREE when you sign up for our newsletter that's packed full of practical tips, strategies and more to help battle IBD and gut issues!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Smoothie Cheat Sheat

Yours FREE when you sign up for our newsletter that's packed full of practical tips, strategies and more to help battle IBD and gut issues!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

The RDN Diet Cheat Sheet

Sign up for the RDN Diet Cheat Sheet. A reference guide to help RDNs quickly identify what foods are OK and not OK on well-known IBD diets.

 

Success! Check your email

The WBF Eat This Challenge

Sign up for our 4-week Eat This Challenge. Each week you’ll get an email with your food or ingredient of the week.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This