Most of the time, a lot of people see sugar as a ‘harmful’ substance to consume especially if it is taken on a regular basis. And while we nurse the fear that sugar might cost us dearly [health-wise], we tend to sway towards sugar substitutes. Owing to this, beverages [and other consumables] bearing ‘sugar-free’ labels have often become appealing to us. But then do we really know what these sugar substitutes contain or even the effect(s) they could have on our health? Sugar we have known…but knowledge about its substitutes is seemingly vague even despite the number of researches that have been undertaken on them.

So, in this article, I have decided to discuss about some sugar substitutes that are usually used in beverages or taken in some other forms.

Aspartame
Aspartame which is also called ‘Nutrasweet’ is one of the most common artificial sweeteners used in foods and beverages. It is reported to be about 200 times sweeter than the common table sugar.
Ordinarily, on the basis of the major constituents – phenylalanine and aspartic acid, which are both naturally occurring amino acids – this sweetener (that is Aspartame) is not supposed to cause harm. But as it is broken down by the body’s digestive mechanism, methanol is released; this is where the problem lies. Having large amount of methanol in the body system could predispose one to cancer as the methanol is further broken down to formaldehyde which is a carcinogenic agent. Besides, methanol is regarded as a highly toxic substance to human and it has been found to adversely affect the functionality of the central nervous system (CNS), heart, liver and kidney. Although some have claimed that trace amount of methanol may not necessarily endanger one’s health but since it is often regarded as an ‘inconsumable’ alcohol, one has got to avoid it (methanol) or anything capable of exposing one to it like a plague. Therefore, drinks and/or beverages containing aspartame are probably not best to take.

Sucralose
Sucralose is a non-caloric artificial sweetener made from sucrose (that is, table sugar) using selective chlorination. It is otherwise known as ‘splenda’. A host of scientists have considered sucralose safe for consumption due to the fact that it is not absorbed and/or broken down by the body. Hence it can be extracted from the body along with urine. But a study has since found that sucralose can be broken down [into toxic compounds] when subjected to intense heat. Again, there have been reports that this sweetener is capable of disrupting the body’s metabolic processes and even hamper the effectiveness of certain drugs. The regular intake of sucralose may also serve as a risk factor for coronary heart diseases.

Acesulfame Potassium
Acesulfame K – ‘K’ being the chemical formula for potassium – is another calorie free sugar substitute that is not usually absorbed by the body. The major constituent of Acesulfame K is methylene chloride which is a known carcinogenic agent. Asides being a cancer causing compound, this can also affect the normal functioning of the liver, kidney and brain. Acesulfame K is also 200 times sweeter than table sugar.

Saccharin
Saccharin is the most common [and widely used] artificial sweetener, and it is 400 times sweeter than sucrose. It is sometimes used in combination with other artificial sweeteners in order to offset its bitter aftertaste. Though saccharin has not been found to cause cancer or any heart disorder, it does disrupt the growth and activities of gut bacteria. Owing to this, the excessive consumption of saccharin may bring about some dysfunction in the digestive tract and immune system.

Sugar substitutes may be very useful in a weight-loss dietary plan and maintaining a normal blood sugar level; the disadvantages that come with consuming them far outweigh the benefits one gets from using them hence it pays to avoid using them. By the way, sugar substitutes as used in the context of this article, refer to artificial sweeteners that may be detrimental to the well-being of humans. Nonetheless, there are other sugar substitutes that are safe to consume; most of these, are natural products, and examples include pure (natural), honey, stevia, applesauce, cane sugar, molasses, etc.