Frankensugar: noun 1. synthetic substitute for sugar 2. a band out of Detroit
There has been a lot of buzz around artificial sweeteners in recent years. Added to everything from soda to ketchup to yogurt, this sweet substance goes by a few names: saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose. These sugar substitutes offer the same sweetness of sugar with less calories; every gram of refined sugar has four calories, where artificial sweeteners have zero.
Artificial sweeteners are an attractive alternative among dieters and those with diabetes. Anyone who is conscious of their sugar intake would be drawn into this "free food" that cannot claim any of your daily allowance for fat or calories. Some sweeteners can still affect blood sugar because of the carbohydrates and proteins; so, while they are considered sugar-free, they are not always carb-free.
In laboratory tests, saccharin caused cancer of the bladder in rats. The USDA tried to ban this product from shelves, and eventually compromised with the food industry placing a warning on the package that read: "Use of this product may be hazardous to your health. This product contains saccharin, which has been determined to cause cancer in laboratory animals." This warning was later removed when further research indicated that male rats were predisposed to develop bladder cancer, and humans did not carry the same risk for developing this form of cancer.
Aspartame has been closely scrutinized for causing adverse reactions in certain populations. For example, some people have a rare disorder called phenylketonuria that makes their bodies unable to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine, present in aspartame. In mass quantities, aspartame has also been linked to several types of cancers, however experts advise that consumed in moderation, it can be a safe alternative. Aspartame has also been linked to headaches and other non-life threatening side effects.
One thing is clear when it comes to making the decision to consume foods with artificial sweeteners: consumers need to stay on top of the latest research available to them. These substances are still under intense scrutiny; one minute, they are linked to cancer, and the next they are safe in moderation.
My feeling is that real, organic sugar is also safe in moderation, and does not have these same scary side effects. I'd rather stick to the real thing and watch how much of it I eat.
Do you have any feelings/thoughts on the natural, calorie free sweetner, Stevia?
ReplyDeleteChandra
Great question! Stevia extract is one of the newcomer options out there for low-calorie sweeteners. It is plant-derived (from a South American herb), but goes through a lot of refinement to make it into the sugar substance you eventually buy at the store. Currently, the FDA has concerns about the impact of stevia on blood sugar control, the impact on kidneys, and its side effects such as nausea. Stevia extract is still being researched for links to cancer and infertility. I would wait for more conclusive test results before making it a part of my diet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info...I had no idea! I've actually been using it for a few years and haven't noticed any side effects, but you never know how things can affect you in the long run. Especially, when there hasn't been much research on long term effects.
ReplyDeleteBeing 5 months preggo, I think I'll stick to sugar for the time being. Thanks again for the great info, Katie! I really do enjoy reading your blog posts and get a lot of really useful information.
Chandra
You're pregnant?! OMG - congrats! Then yes, I would definitely stick to the natural stuff. Trader Joe's organic sugar - $2.99. Totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading! I love that people are finding it useful, and actually making some changes because of it.