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Sugar substitutes, both no and low
calorie, are popping up everywhere and in everything
lately. The majority of the low-cal and light foods
we eat contain some kind of artificial sweetener. Unless
you are eating or drinking really huge amounts of foods
that contain sugar substitutes, you probably don't have
anything to worry about.
So what about sugar substitutes that you add to things
like coffee and tea? The most common artificial sweeteners
you can buy or find in a restaurant are Splenda, Equal,
and Sweet N Low. Of the three, Splenda is generally
considered to be the safest. This is because it has
undergone, and passed with flying colors, a variety
of safety tests. Equal is considered safe for most,
but some people claim that it can cause headaches. This
hasn't been conclusively proven. Sweet N Low should
be avoided, because there is some evidence that saccharin
(the chemical in Sweet N Low) increases risk for bladder
cancer when taken in very large amounts: six or more
servings of the sweetener or two eight-ounce servings
of diet drinks that contain the sweetener.
Its important to remember that any sugar substitute
is probably safe in small amounts, say, a few light
yogurts or a diet soda here and there. Also keep in
mind that regular sugar itself isn't unhealthy or unsafe
if eaten in small amounts. Moderation is the key!
Well-Woman Fun Fact: Saccharin (the synthetic chemical
in Sweet N Low) was discovered in 1879 when a researcher
spilled a compound on his hand, tasted it, and realized
it was sweet!
(Info taken from Sweet Nothings: Not All Sweeteners
are Equal, by David Schardt, Nutrition Action Health
Letter, May 2004)
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