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May 28, 2023

A guide to sweeteners, both synthetic and natural

Mostly sucrose; contains antioxidants, minerals and B vitamins Mostly sucrose;

Mostly sucrose; contains antioxidants, minerals and B vitamins

Mostly sucrose; contains antioxidants, minerals and B vitamins

Mostly sucrose; contains antioxidants, minerals and B vitamins

Linked to kidney disease, gout and fatty liver disease

Stabilizes processed foods; has been linked to mercury contamination

Natural preservative for foods; fuels insect metabolism

Boosts appetite; raises triglycerides and bad cholesterol

Sucrose split into glucose and fructose by an acid

Harmful to people unable to digest it

Lowers appetite; quickly raises blood-sugar levels

Syrup arsenic levels often higher than recommended

Glucose bonded to galactose; some adults cannot digest it

Lowers blood glucose levels in people with elevated blood sugar

Once banned for causing bladder cancer in rats

Keeps crystalline form even in high heat; persists in environment

Generates formaldehyde in the body; can increase waist size

Derived from aspartame; effects on brain have not been thoroughly tested

"Flawed safety studies," says Center for Science in the Public Interest

CSPI: "Safety tests . . . were of mediocre quality."

Trace amounts of nutrients; mostly sucrose

Has antioxidants, but may contain pesticides; dangerous for infants

High in fiber; daily intake might cause weight loss

Not approved as a food additive, but can be bought as a supplement

Anti-inflammatory; sometimes processed with tree nuts/peanuts

Ancient Chinese sweetener; sometimes "cut" with dextrose

Treats hepatitis in Japan; in excess, might cause high blood pressure

Not adequately tested, says one group

Has less of a cooling effect than other sugar alcohols

Derived from whey

Keeps foods moist; high doses cause nausea and dizziness

Good for teeth; as sweet as sugar

Prolongs food shelf life; some people allergic; not for irritable bowels

Hard coating for pills; very large doses can damage kidneys, heart

Good for teeth; large doses cause nausea

Used to make edible decorations

A recent study found that Saccharin, Sucralose and Aspartame can upset the balance of intestinal flora, causing glucose intolerance in mice and in some humans tested.