To Be or Not to Be Sugar-Free: The Facts About Artificial Sweeteners

Originally created for people unable to consume regular sugars, alternative and artificial sweeteners have become extremely popular in all kinds of different products. From chewing gum to diet soda, Dr. April Davis wants you to know which of these options are best for your dental and general health – so here are the facts about a few of the most common sweeteners. 

The Big Five Sugar Substitutes

The benefits of artificial sweeteners were first recognized as a safe option for diabetics, but have since exploded in popularity because food, beverage, candy, and snack companies have discovered that it is easier to sell fewer calories. In addition, people with a sweet tooth know that artificial sweeteners are notorious for their ability to ruin your portion control. 

The substances listed below are considered sugar-free and inhibit tooth decay because bacteria cannot ferment them into enamel-destroying acids. Despite ongoing controversy about health concerns of sugar substitutes, the FDA considers the following substances to be safe for regular consumption:

• Aspartame is a calorie-free artificial sweetener roughly 200 times sweeter than table sugar and is common in sodas, candy, and gum. It is the main ingredient in NutraSweet®, Equal®, and Sugar Twin® brand sweetener packets. Although the FDA considers it to be safe, health advocates claim that it causes headaches and general malaise. University of Liverpool researchers also found that when combined with a common food coloring agent, aspartame can become toxic to brain cells. It is also linked to weight gain and appetite control problems.

• Saccharin is the sugar-free stuff in the tiny pink Sweet’n Low® packets Waterville residents have been seeing for years. This substance is the oldest artificial sweetener and is 200-700 times sweeter than sugar. It is non-caloric and can be found in a wide variety of different products. Although saccharin doesn’t have quite as bad a reputation as aspartame, the American Cancer Society found in one study that saccharin is linked to weight gain.

• Sucralose (Splenda®) is an artificial, non-caloric sweetener derived from sucrose (table sugar) in a patented process that replaces several hydroxyl molecules with chlorine atoms. Health concerns with sucralose are mainly related to the body’s inability to detoxify certain substances, specifically organochlorine compounds like sucralose. Health advocates claim that not enough long-term studies have been performed to determine its safety, but the FDA has approved it. Environmentalists worry that sucralose may subtly affect the Earth’s ecosystem because it is commonly found downstream from waste-treatment plants.

• Stevia (Truvia®) is classified as a novel sweetener (a sweetener made up of a combination of sweeteners) and is derived from the leaves of the stevia plant. Although it is new to western society, it has been used for hundreds of years by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay. It is non-caloric and poses no known health risks, although it is still undergoing testing by various international food safety agencies, the FDA has awarded it GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status. The largest complaint against stevia is its distinctive aftertaste. Stevia is up to 300 times sweeter than standard sugar, and as with all calorie-free sugar substitutes, it may cause weight gain because it does not provide the ‘full’ feeling we are used to from sugar.

• Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is derived from vegetable fibers such as corn husks or tree bark. Sugar alcohols are common components in candy, gum, and chocolate and do not actually contain any alcohol. Xylitol is the only sweetener that has been proven to provide active resistance to dental caries (cavities). Consuming between 3 and 10g of xylitol (in chewing gum, lozenges, etc.) per day is an effective method of fighting tooth decay. However, Waterville dentist Dr. April Davis wants you to know that most gums at your local supermarket checkout counter do not contain enough xylitol to have any effect on cavity prevention. Specialty gums that do fight tooth decay are available in pharmacies, specialty stores, and online. Look for gums that list xylitol as the first or second ingredient. Also, be aware that xylitol gums – while very healthy for your teeth – can be deadly to dogs.

If you would like to discuss the healthiest way to sweeten your coffee or want to visit Gracious Smiles Aesthetic General Dentistry for a consultation, please contact us!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.