Are Sugar Substitutes Really A Sweet Deal?

My personal opinion on this particular topic is this: if man made it, don’t use it. On the other hand if it grows naturally (sugar cane) or if bees have something to do with the process (hopefully you know I’m referring to honey here) then go for it. Remember that all things in moderation are good for you, including a little bit of sugar.

Let’s take a closer look at the six FDA-approved non-nutritive sugar substitutes.

Acesulfame-Potassium (Acesulfame-K) goes by the brand names Ace-K, Sunett and Sweet One. It is a combination of organic acid and potassium that is often blended with other sugar substitutes.

• 200 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories per gram
• Heat stable (can be used in cooking and baking)
• Produces no glycemic response

Aspartame goes by the brand names Equal and NutraSweet. It is composed of two amino acids (proteins), aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartame is one of the most thoroughly tested food additives, according to the FDA. People with the rare hereditary disease phenylketonuria (PKU) should not consume aspartame.

• 160-220 times sweeter than sugar
• 4 calories per gram (metabolized as a protein), but because such a small amount is needed to sweeten foods and beverages, the calories provided by aspartame are considered negligible.
• Not heat stable (cannot be used in cooking or baking)
• Produces a limited glycemic response

Neotame is one of the newest artificial sweeteners approved for use in packaged foods and beverages.

• 7,000-13,000 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories per gram
• Heat stable (can be used in cooking and baking)
• Produces no glycemic response
• Rapidly metabolized and excreted

Saccharin goes by the brand names Necta Sweet, Sugar Twin and Sweet ‘N Low.

• 200-700 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories per gram
• Heat stable (can be used in cooking and baking)
• Produces no glycemic response

Stevia(Rebaudioside A) goes by the names PureVia, Sun Crystals and Truvia. It is a steviol glycoside, one component of the stevia plant that provides sweetness.

• 250-300 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories and 0 carbohydrates per gram
• Metabolized by the body into steviol, which is not absorbed in the blood and therefore leaves the body unchanged

Sucralose goes by the brand name Splenda.

• 600 times sweeter than sugar
• 0 calories per gram
• Heat stable (can be used in cooking and baking)
• Produces no glycemic response
• Poorly absorbed and excreted unchanged

Now that you have the information, you can make your own judgement call.