Are Artificial Sweeteners Better for You Than Sugar?

Many parents worry about their children's sugar intake. In an effort to satisfy their child's sweet tooth they may replace sugar laden products with sugar-free ones containing an artificial sweetener. But are artificial sweeteners really better for your kids than good old-fashioned sugar is?

We all know that sugar is supposedly a terrible thing -- terrible for your teeth, your weight, your hyperactivity level...but is replacing it with an artificial sweetener really such a good idea?

Let's take a closer look at artificial sweeteners and their ingredients.

Artificial Sweeteners

There are a lot of different trademarked artificial sweeteners to choose from...NutraSweet, Equal and Canderel are perhaps three of the most well known, but they are all made of the same non-carbohydrate sweetener, Aspartame.

Aspartame's Beginnings

James M. Schlatter discovered Aspartame in 1965 while producing an anti-ulcer drug as a chemist at G.D. Searle & Company. It was only in 1996 that the FDA approved its use in all foods. Until then, its use had been restricted due to fears of a link between its use and cancer, including brain tumors, in laboratory rats.

Problems With Aspartame?

When a person ingests Aspartame, it breaks down into residual chemicals with decidedly unappetizing names like aspartic acid, phenylalanine, methanol (wood alcohol), and formaldehyde.

Yes, formaldehyde -- the same stuff that undertakers use to embalm the dead. Formaldehyde is also used to kill flies and other insects. A simple web search for the names of these chemicals is very enlightening -- and very scary.

Methanol is known to cause vision problems, but the symptoms of an "allergic" reaction to Aspartame far exceed vision problems. Some believe that the problems caused by Aspartame can mimic Fibromyalgia, MS, Alzheimer's, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Depression.

However, these claims are denied by some medical professionals.

Professor Michael E J Lean of the Division of Developmental Medicine at the University of Glasgow says, "Evidence does not support links between aspartame and cancer, hair loss, depression, dementia, behavioural disturbances, or any of the other conditions appearing in websites."

Your Decision

You should educate yourself on the pros and cons of using artificial sweeteners. Continue to do so if you feel the benefits outweigh the risks. But if you do want to cut down on your Aspartame intake, consider starting with a few of the tips below.

Aspartame--Hard to Avoid

Aspartame can be hard to avoid. It is believed to be an ingredient in some 6,000 foods and beverages, including diet soft drinks, chewable vitamins, and sugar-free chewing gum. It may be hard to avoid completely, but if you are concerned about the safety of Aspartame, there are simple steps you can take to cut down on your intake.

First of all cut out diet soft drinks and use sugar or honey as a sweetener. Let your kids have goodies and gum containing sugar -- just be sure they are practicing good oral hygeine and getting plenty of exercise to work off any excess energy. If weight is an issue, cut out the soda all together and drink more water. Just be sure it's not flavored with an artificial sweetener!