Artificial Sweeteners -- Are They Safe?

You’re probably familiar with the bright, multi-colored packets of sweetener placed on the table at restaurants, but do you actually know what they are? Oftentimes these packets are filled with artificial sweeteners that can have a wide range of pros and cons, depending on which you choose. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the research behind 8 non nutritive artificial sweeteners that the FDA has deemed, “generally recognized as safe” and analyze both sides of the argument so that you can make the best decisions for you, in addition to sharing tips on for sugar cravings and ways to sweeten your food more naturally.  

In this episode you’ll learn: 

-About different names for artificial sweeteners like NNS (non-nutritive sweeteners) and NAS (non caloric artificial sweeteners or non caloric high intensity sweeteners)

-About neotame 

-That artificial sweeteners have a more intense sweetness than table sugar 

-Which 8 non-nutritive sweeteners the FDA lists as generally safe for humans

-How the FDA determines an artificial sweetener as safe 

-How randomized control trials and observational studies are executed 

-About some different types of scientific trials and why certain ones are more reliable than others

-That artificial sweeteners have been shown in some studies to help with weight loss 

-Why it’s so important to know who is funding a study and what their interests may be 

-Why artificial sweeteners may be throwing off the balance of your body and metabolic processes 

-About some negative effects of artificial sweeteners shown in rat studies

-How the brain how been shown to react to artificial sweeteners compared to sugar 

-About how some artificial sweeteners may affect obesity and diabetes

-How artificial sweeteners play a role in cravings 

-What metabolic disease is  

-About Saccharin aka Sweet N Low and Aspartame and studies that have explored their possible link to cancer risk  

-How artificial sweeteners have been shown to affect gut health in mice and humans 

-That aspartame may affect cognitive function 

-About the artificial sweetener acesulfame K and what some mice studies have shown  

-Some studies on Sucralose aka Splenda and what they’ve found 

-Why you may not want to bake with Sucralose aka Splenda or use it in high heat cooking

-About Saccharin aka Sweet N Low 

-That neotame is a variation of aspartame 

-Which artificial sweeteners are best if using in for high heat 

-About the sneaky reason neotame often isn’t required to be labeled in products 

-About steviol glycosides aka stevia 

-Why stevia extract drops and powder are safer than the whole leaf itself 

-About the sweetener Luo Han Guo aka monk fruit extract and how it’s made 

-That Monk Fruit gets its sweet flavor from antioxidants called mogrosides

-About sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol and their possible benefits 

-That sugar alcohols may actually have a prebiotic effect

-About some of Amanda and Chris’ favorite ways to sweeten food and drinks like maple syrup, honey, dates, and more 

-Some benefits of using honey in moderation 

-Tips for reducing sugar cravings 

-That Glutamine may help with sugar cravings 

-About personalized nutrition 

-Why it’s so important to listen to your own body and adapt your diet accordingly 

References: 

Detox Episode: Understanding Detoxification & Natural Ways to Support the process with Tyler Jean