Some sweeteners can do far more harm to your health than you realize. Learn to identify them, and keep them away from your diet.
The combination of growing problems with youth and adult weight and their compulsion for food has led the world in recent decades to a real tsunami of artificial sweeteners that have flooded the market.
They now have a variety of foods light or low calorie , and they appear everywhere from formulas to chewing gum to kids.
However, new research reveals that, far from helping to end those unwanted pounds, these artificial sweeteners can actually lead to weight gain, especially in the unwanted fat gain.
A new study recently published in the journal Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism , found that many artificial sweeteners, when acting on hormones, can actually increase cravings for sugar, leading to increased risk of obesity and later complications such as diabetes and disease in the heart.
While more research will certainly talk about it, avoiding the following sweeteners is certainly a healthier choice.
1. Saccharin
Although it is more than 300 times sweeter than sugar, this substitute is often mixed with other compounds due to the fact that it has a slightly metallic taste.
For nearly 20 years, the US toxicology program had this sweetener on its list of carcinogenic substances.
Even though it was later withdrawn from that list in 2000 for alleged lack of evidence, there is controversy over saccharin damage to date. On the other hand, it is part of the cheapest and most common sweetener compounds on the market.
2. Sucralose
Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar, yet it does not contain calories. It is found in a number of food products especially the diet .
But, several studies have shown that its chemical composition is not very compatible with the human digestive system, and that it can not be completely metabolized by our body.
Some people have experienced gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, cramps or intestinal pain, headaches, skin irritation, dizziness, edema or agitation when they ingest this substance.
600 times sweeter than sugar, sucralose is a health hazard.
3. Acesulfame Potassium
This is not one of the best-known sweeteners, but it can still be found in a wide variety of products.
It is still necessary to have detailed investigation to know if this artificial sweetener can cause cancer.
Concerns revolve around one of its ingredients, methylene chloride, which has been identified as a carcinogen.
4. Aspartame
This is one of the most notorious artificial sweeteners, and has been the subject of complaints and protests for years. And rightly so. It is linked to various health problems, including neurological and psychological problems such as depression, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease, aggressive behavior and suicidal tendencies.
There are many studies that can prove the link in the formation of brain tumors. It is inserted in products aimed at the diabetics, for being the substitute said more suitable for the sugar.
5. Neotame
Let’s say this is the most powerful sweetener there is. Being 8,000 times sweeter than sugar. This is the newest sweetener available on the market and was produced by the industrial giant Monsanto.
Its chemical structure is similar to that of aspartame and one of its metabolites is formaldehyde. In addition, it contains another chemical called 3-dimethylbutane, which is listed as a harmful chemical.
Neotame is 8,000 times sweeter than sugar and a potential health risk. These sweeteners, as a whole, despite the promise of helping with weight loss and having healthier lifestyles, could be anything but healthy.
The best alternative for any of these products is conscious consumption. Consuming small amounts of plain sugar or, better still, using sweeteners like honey, agave or fruit extract, which have a natural origin and bring with them additional health benefits, is the best thing to do.
