The debate over artificial sweeteners vs sugar has been ongoing for years. While artificial sweeteners have become increasingly popular, there are many questions surrounding the potential health benefits of these products compared to regular sugar.
Artificial sweetener ingredients vary greatly from one product to another, and it’s important to understand what makes up each artificial sweetener before consuming them. Additionally, research studies have highlighted both positive and negative aspects of artificial sweeteners.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at artificial sweeteners vs sugar, including their ingredients and potential heart health risks.
What Are Artificial Sweeteners Made of?
Different artificial sweeteners contain different types of ingredients that affect taste as well as nutritional values.
Common artificial sweetener ingredients include:
- Saccharin (Sweet’N Low®)
- Acesulfame potassium (Sunett®)
- Sucralose (Splenda®)
- Neotame (Newtame™)
- Aspartame (Equal®, NutraSweet®)
There are many artificial sweetener products available on the market today, including liquid artificial sweeteners, sugar-free syrups, powders, and sugar substitutes.
Are There Health Risks Associated With Artificial Sweeteners?
It is important to note that artificial sweeteners may carry risks associated with their ingredients, and it is vital to understand these potential risks before consuming them.
For example, products like saccharin may cause nausea or headaches in some people, while other artificial sweeteners like acesulfame potassium may disrupt the gut’s microbiome.
What About the Heart?
Many individuals view sugar as a serious heart health culprit.
In fact, the Heart & Stroke Foundation says that consuming too much sugar is associated with:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
Learn more about the effects that sugar has on your heart.
So, for those who enjoy the sweeter offerings life has to offer, stats like this may have you turning to sugar-free alternatives.
However, it’s possible that artificial sweeteners may not be much better for your heart, as recent studies have provided evidence of a potential link between high artificial sweetener consumption and heart disease.
According to the results of the study, artificial sweeteners were associated with a 9% higher risk of cardiovascular disease, prompting the study authors to conclude that artificial sweeteners should not be considered a heart-healthy and safe alternative to sugar.
Artificial Sweeteners vs Sugar: Is There a Best Option?
In comparison to regular sugar, artificial sweeteners are often considered healthier options because they contain fewer calories per serving and do not cause tooth decay or increase blood sugar levels like regular white sugar.
As we now know, however, they may also have drawbacks – including heart health risks.
Artificial sweeteners are full of artificial, highly processed ingredients, many of which have potential health risks associated with them. Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that artificial sweeteners are often found in packaged and processed foods, so despite being labelled as the “healthier” option compared to sugar, their placement can make them unhealthy by default.
Remember, a heart-healthy diet limits the need for sugar and artificial sweeteners, and these heart-healthy superfoods won’t have you missing sweet treats at all!
While it’s difficult to say if artificial sweeteners is better than regular sugar, it’s clear that potential risks are present in both options.
By researching artificial sweetener ingredients and limiting your intake of added sugars AND artificial sweeteners (by incorporating natural foods like fruits and veggies), you can keep your heart healthy and happy – what’s sweeter than that?
Like limiting your sugar intake, knowing first aid can also keep you healthy and safe. Check out our selection of first aid courses now.
