Why is sweeteners better than sugar

Both of these explanations are plausible, but require more research before we can be sure of their effects. Epidemiologist Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz summarises that "it's possible that artificial sweeteners might be worse for people than water — although this is something of an open question — but compared to sugar, all indications are that artificial sweeteners are probably a bit better.

Overall, considering that artificial sweeteners are essentially calorie-free, the data on their positive health impacts is perhaps a bit disappointing. This might explain Professor Jennie Brand-Miller's observation from the University of Sydney that "the prevalence of obesity and overweight have tripled in [the last 50 years] despite the popularity of low-calorie sweeteners and their ubiquity".

On the flip side, there is plenty of evidence that they are safe and not linked to any cancers. Whether they have some other effects perhaps on our sugar cravings or microbiome, remains to be determined. Sugar-free alternatives, particularly of drinks, could be beneficial to someone who is trying to lose weight or improve their diet.

However, the data suggest that they are not the healthiest option available — whilst a diet drink might be better than a sugary one, water might be even better. Article based on 8 expert answers to this question: "Are artificial sweeteners better for you than sugar? This expert response was published in partnership with independent fact-checking platform Metafact. Subscribe to their weekly newsletter here. Sugar is a type of carbohydrate and because all carbohydrates affect blood-glucose levels, reducing your sugar intake can help to keep blood glucose levels under control.

Diabetes UK says: "As sugar contributes no nutritive value, apart from carbohydrates and calories, it has 'empty calories' and so is not good if you're looking to manage your weight. In search of the perfect sweetener. Could sweeteners make people eat more? Crossing the border The truth about artificial sweeteners.

Sugar alternatives may harm gut - BBC News. British Nutrition Foundation. But are they healthier? What are sweeteners? Should I use them? Giving up sugar was the worst thing I ever did The Norwegians travelling to Sweden for sweets. If they are artificial, doesn't that make them unhealthy?

Also, synthetic does not mean unhealthy. But artificial sweeteners may be likelier to make you get hungry, eat more throughout the day and develop diabetes. Sugar is OK in limited amounts and in the context of a healthy diet.

Artificial sweeteners have no calories, but are they better than sugar? Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. Even with all the different fancy names for sugar, they're all more or less the same. Except HFCS, which should still be avoided like the plague. With artificial sweeteners, things get a little more muddled, mostly because there are so many different FDA-approved types. Aspartame is the most common ingredient you'll find in sugar-free processed foods, like diet soda.

It's also sold in little packets under the brand names Equal and NutraSweet, and is times sweeter than sugar. Kumar says that unlike other sweeteners, which generally just pass through your body, aspartame is metabolized into compounds found in natural food. It's considered safe in small amounts, except for people with phenylketonuria, a genetic disease. Sucralose, also known as Splenda, passes through the body easily and does not build up in body fat.

It's also times sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way. Saccharin, or Sweet'N Low, is a little more controversial; saccharin was deemed unsafe after a study in found a connection between the sweetener and bladder cancer in rats.

But subsequent studies have found no clear correlation between saccharin and cancer in humans, since we process it differently than rats do. Go figure. More recent research suggests it could even help inhibit cancer cell growth Even though the National Cancer Institute says it's safe for consumption , the times-sweeter-than-sugar sweetener hasn't been as popular since the whole late-'70s debacle.