by Brandi McDaniel

Created on: September 30, 2008   Last Updated: October 06, 2008

What's the best sugar substitute?

A sugar substitute is a food additive, that's like sugar, but has less food energy. Sugar substitutes can also be referred to as nonnutritive sweeteners or artificial sweeteners. There are five FDA approved nonnutritive sweeteners. They are Saccharin, Aspartame, Acesulfame, Sucralose, and Neotame.

Saccharin is sold as Sweet and Low, Sweet Twin, Sweet' N Low, and Necta Sweet. It is said to be the safest of the five FDA approved nonnutritive sweeteners. Saccharin is 200 to 700 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). It is used in tabletop sweeteners, baked goods, jams, chewing gum, canned fruit, candy, dessert toppings, and salad dressings. There is some controversy, however, that stems from the 70's. In 1977, there was research conducted on male rats that resulted in bladder tumors. Since this study, there have been more than thirty studies done on humans, and these results were not found. Some people may have an allergic reaction to Saccharin if they have a negative response to a class of compounds called sulfonamides. Symptoms may include headaches, breathing difficulties, skin eruptions, and diarrhea. Saccharin has also been found in some infant formulas.

Aspartame is sold as NutraSweet, Equal, and Sugar Twin. It is one of the most controversial nonnutritive sweeteners. Aspartame is 160 to 220 times sweeter than sucrose. In 1981, the FDA approved its use for tabletop sweeteners, chewing gum, cold breakfast cereals, gelatins, and puddings. In 1983, they were able to include it in carbonated beverages. In 1996, it was approved as a general-purpose sweetener, and is now found in more than 6,000 foods. There are studies that have linked Aspartame to several symptoms including, but not limited to, headaches, depression, and memory loss. In one study, 12 out of 320 rats developed malignant brain tumors. Another study using 7,000 men and women fifty-five years of age and older, showed no evidence of an increased risk of cancer.

The FDA approved Acesulfame K in 1988. Most people don't know that it is a nonnutritive sweetener that has been used in their foods and beverages for all these years. It is listed on ingredient labels as acesulfame K, acesulfame potassium, Ace-K, and sunett. It is 200 times sweeter than sucrose. It is a flavor enhancer and is also used to preserve sweetness of sweet foods. There is a lack of long-term studies on this sweetener.

Sucralose, sold as Splenda, is the newest nonnutritive sweetener on the market. It is 600 times sweeter than sucrose. In 1998 it was FDA approved for limited use and in 1999 for general purpose. It is currently used in over 4,500 products, including foods that are cooked or baked. The FDA had reviewed studies done on humans and animals, and says that it does not seem to pose a carcinogenic, reproductive, or neurological risk to humans. There is still controversy, however, due to the fact that this sweetener was discovered while trying to create a new insecticide. Chlorine, which is considered a carcinogen, has also been found in Sucralose. There have been symptoms associated with Sucralose including gastrointestinal problems, skin irritations, wheezing, cough, runny nose, chest pains, palpitations, anxiety, and itchy eyes.

In 2002 the FDA approved a new version of Aspartame called Neotame. It is chemically related to Aspartame but without the phenylalanine dangers for those who have PKU. It is much sweeter than Aspartame, approximately 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than sucrose. The Neotame website claims that there have been over 100 scientific studies done that support the safety of Neotame. These studies, however, are not made available to the public.

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