Sweetening agents, such as NutraSweet, Equal (aspartame), Sweet & Low (saccharin) and Splenda (sucralose) are added to more than six thousand foods and drugs. The use of “diet” and “sugar-free” drinks and foods containing these sweeteners for weight control has been criticized in recent years by scientists who believe that these sweeteners may increase appetite. They are not helpful for weight loss and artificial sweeteners and low-calorie sweeteners are not the solution to our nation’s obesity crisis. It is wise for people who are trying to lose weight to avoid these substances, as well as sugar, honey, agave and other concentrated sweets because they all promote excessive insulin secretion and perpetuate the desire for sweets and promote weight gain. 
Scientists have theorized that the intense sweet taste of these substances coupled with the lack of caloric content disrupts the body’s natural use of sweetness to predict nourishment, and therefore disrupts the body’s ability to regulate calorie balance. Sweetened foods enhance apatite and weight gain, even if the calories from the sweetener are insignificant. Animal and human studies support these theories. For example, when researchers compared the caloric intake of women fed aspartame-sweetened drinks with women given higher-calorie beverages, the women given the aspartame consumed more calories the following day. Users of no-calorie sweeteners just seek more sweets to satisfy the body’s cravings.
The safety of every artificial sweetener has been questioned in one way or another – the possible dangers are still unknown. Cutting unsafe substances out of your diet is important for long-term health. Saccharin has caused cancers in animal studies, and use of saccharin has also been associated with bladder cancer in humans. Aspartame has been consistently linked to cancers in animal studies, although no well-designed human studies have been done to confirm these observations. If you are a headache sufferer, beware of products made with aspartame. Studies have shown that migraine sufferers experience more frequent and more severe symptoms after ingesting aspartame. Sucralose is a relatively new non-caloric sweetener made from chlorinated sucrose (table sugar). The studies on the safety of sucralose in animal models are inconclusive – some have found immune system problems, but scientists are not yet sure if sucralose may be harmful to humans. The newest sweetener, recently approved by the FDA, Stevia (Truvia) is an herbal sweetener made from the leaves of a South American shrub and can be labeled natural. Even this natural sweetener is not without potential dangers – it has been suggested to cause reproductive problems in animal studies. Regardless of the actual impact of these sweeteners on our health, and we can avoid the possible dangers by avoiding the sweeteners.
Using a non-caloric sweetener, whether natural or artificial, is not really the answer. The safest and healthiest way to satisfy our sweet tooth is with natural foods, not with sweeteners. Fresh fruit, dried fruit, and occasionally a little date sugar or ground dates options. I recommend dropping sodas, sweetened teas, and fruit juices. Reducing your consumption of concentrated sweets will not just have you better control your weight, but it will reduce your risk of cancer. Eat unrefined food, lots of vegetables and beans and drink water.
Want a healthy, sweet desert? Blend a frozen banana or other frozen n fruits with a little unsulfured dried fruit (peaches, apricot, currants, papaya, pineapple or banana) hemp milk or soy milk and blend. Healthy natural foods and a disease-protective diet can taste great too.
References:
1. Swithers SE et al. Physiol Behav. 2010 Jan 6.
2. Lavin JH et al. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1997 Jan;21(1):37-42.
3. Center for Science in the Public Interest: Food additives.
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