Artificial sweeteners: safe or not?
Over the last couple decades an increase in obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders has created a market for low-calorie artificial sweeteners. The Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) approved 6 sweeteners that are considered safe for humans: saccharine, aspartame, sucralose, neotame, acesulfame-K, and stevia. Artificial sugar substitutes on daily basis can help in limiting carbohydrate and energy intake that is important for weight and blood glucose management. Nonetheless, it has been studied that sweeteners loose the competition to nutrient-dense foods such as milk and fruits in terms of quality. Patients with diabetes are advised to consume artificial sweeteners in minimal amounts as newly published articles suggest that long-term use might be harmful. Children under 2 years of age, pregnant and women during lactation should also avoid the intake. Details in the original article by Sharma et al.
