Risks and Benefits of Low-Calorie Sweeteners

There is alot of information out there about sugar and reduced-calorie or low-calorie sweeteners. It can be hard to get the facts that you need, to make the best decisions regarding your diet plan.

If you are considering adding reduced or low calorie sweeteners to your diet, you may want to consider the following risks and benefits:

Risks:

1. Sugar-alcohols - one type of reduced-
calorie sweetener - are neither sugars
nor alcohols. They are used to sweeten
sugar-free gum and candy and can cause
diarrhea and other stomach upset,
elevate your cholesterol and blood sugar.
2. Nutrasweet in large quantities may
actually increase your appetite.
3. Saccharine, though not widely used
anymore, is believed to cause cancer
in rats.
4. Low-calorie sweeteners have no nutritive
value.
5. They may alter the taste of beverages
and food products, and some can leave an
aftertaste.

Benefits:

1. Low-calorie sweeteners, with the
exception of sugar-alcohols such as
mannitol and sorbitol, are "free foods" -
they add no calories or carbohydrates to
foods and beverages.
2. Many now have a similar taste as sugar.
3. You can cook with low-calorie sweeteners
by following special recipes.
4. They contain no fats, carbs or proteins
5. They can be added to your diet instead
of being substituted
6. The ADA accepts them as part of a
healthy diet.

Making the decision about whether to use reduced or low-calorie sweeteners requires some research.

Talk to your doctor, Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian about which reduced-calorie or low-calorie sweetener would be right for you.