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Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023
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Artificial Sweeteners - Are They Really Required?

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Dt. Ms. Archana DesaiDietitian/Nutritionist • 24 Years Exp.BSc - Dietitics / Nutrition, P.G.In Dietitics
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Artificial sweeteners are new in the market with millions of users. It is a fierce choice for people who want to lose weight and lower the risk of diabetes. However, like many inventions, artificial sweeteners are also controversial. Some doctors prefer artificial sweeteners over regular sugar since artificial sweetener is a good option for people who cannot resist a sugar diet.

Safest Artificial Sweetener to Use

The humanmade artificial sugars are controversial to use. But if you are looking for safer options, you must opt for artificial sweeteners that have a lower level of sugar and fructose. Some of the safest artificial sweeteners to use are:

Stevia: Stevia is extracted from the plant called Stevia rebaudiana. The composition of stevia sugars is unique and sweet. However, it does not contain any calorie and can safely be consumed by diabetic and obese people. It also includes medicinal properties which are useful for blood pressure and relieves from hypertension.

Erythritol: Erythritol is a low-calorie sugar which is extracted from some fruits. However, it requires some industrial processing and can be made available in a drug store.

Xylitol: Xylitol is a favorite sweetener that contains sugar alcohol about 2.4 calories per gram. It has dental benefits and medicinal properties for gums and teeth enamel. The good news for people having diabetes is that it does not increase blood sugar levels.

Consuming too much sugar regularly may lead to health problems like diabetes, tooth decay, obesity, and blood pressure problems. Sugar has no added benefit for health and even artificial sweeteners should not be consumed in higher quantities than suggested. Artificial sweeteners are a substitute for sugar to make life easy for patients who are refrained from sugar intakes. Control measures should be taken for the consumption of artificial sweeteners on a daily basis.

Healthiest Substitute for Sugar

There is no healthy option for sweet intake if you are consuming too much sugar. However, if you are attentive towards your body and want to control sugar intake, you can use artificial sweeteners like stevia, yacon syrup, and sugar-free tablets. You can also opt for honey which is a very healthy and tasty option for a sugar substitute. Sugar interferes with the hormone levels in the body. By taking a substitute, you can control sugar levels in your blood and regulate diabetes. Artificial sweeteners affect the body in many different ways. Some theories suggest that artificial sweeteners affect the metabolism in the body. Earlier it was marketed by the companies as a good option for losing weight and manage diabetes. But recently there is debate regarding the usage of artificial sweeteners in the sugar-free tablets and syrup. Since they contain chemically processed sugar in it, they might harm your insulin secretion and insulin levels. It is a debate about whether artificial sweeteners are good for health and a safe option to consume. But any kind of sugar intake is not good for health. Dieticians and doctors suggest patient to control the levels of sugar on a daily basis. However, for people who crave sugar, may take a small number of artificial sweeteners in their diet plan.

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