These products are still being sold and promoted by the food and beverage sectors. Hence, it is our responsibility as consumers to determine what is beneficial for us and what is not. There is growing evidence that artificial sweeteners can damage your DNA, and backfire in other ways.
Let us examine some common sweeteners that are commercially available today-
Sucralose-
Sucralose, known as Splenda®, is a sweetener about 600 times sweeter than sugar.
The FDA approved sucralose in 1998 for 15 food categories and in 1999 as a general-purpose sweetener. It's used in baked goods, beverages, gum, gelatins, and frozen desserts. Sucralose remains sweet at high temperatures, making it great for baking.
According to a recently published study(see references below)- chemical called sucralose-6-acetate, which is a manufacturing impurity in sucralose, can break DNA strands in cells.
However there are other reviews that have argued non sugar sweeteners are not genotoxic or carcinogenic (7).
Aspartame-
The FDA states that aspartame, sold under brands like Nutrasweet®, Equal®, and Sugar Twin®, is about 200 times sweeter than sugar, so people use less of it. Although it has calories, the amount consumed is typically lower.
Aspartame is a dipeptide made from two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid, which are found in protein-rich foods. These combine to create a very sweet substance. However, aspartame loses its sweetness when heated, so it is not used in baking.
The FDA classifies aspartame as a food additive. It was first approved in 1974 for use in tabletop sweeteners, chewing gum, and other products. In 1996, it was approved as a general-purpose sweetener.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic" to humans in July 2023. Aspartame can be metabolized into methanol, aspartic acid, and phenylalanine, which can have detrimental effects on cognitive function. See research study in references.
Acesulfame-K and saccharin-
The FDA states that saccharin, found in brands like Sweet and Low®, is 200 to 700 times sweeter than sugar and has no calories. It has been regulated as a food additive since 1977.
These sweeteners can induce DNA damage and strand breaks in bone marrow cells, in animals- see study reference below.
Erythritol-
The FDA allows sugar alcohols like sorbitol, xylitol, lactitol, mannitol, erythritol, and maltitol as sugar substitutes. They are 25% to 100% as sweet as sugar, have fewer calories, and don't cause tooth decay or spike blood sugar. They're used in sugar-free candies, cookies, and gums.
In 2023, the FDA reviewed a scientific paper on erythritol's possible cardiovascular effects. They found no causal link between erythritol consumption and these effects but will keep monitoring new information.
Erythritol can induce a marginal increase in DNA damage at high doses after 24 hours of exposure. It is an alcohol sugar and slightly different from the artificial sweeteners mentioned above, and could be potentially less harmful, but the jury is still out there.
2. Effects on Gut Microbiome and Glucose Tolerance
Studies involving both animals and humans reveal that consuming artificial sweeteners, especially saccharin and sucralose, can lead to significant changes in the oral and gut microbiome. Participants consuming these sweeteners also experienced higher blood sugar levels compared to those who consumed regular sugar, indicating a potential link to glucose intolerance.
3. Do Artificial Sweeteners Help with Weight Loss?
The effectiveness of zero-calorie sweeteners in promoting weight loss remains a topic of debate. While some studies suggest no connection between low-calorie sweeteners and weight gain, others indicate they may increase brain activity related to food cravings and appetite. A 2021 study published in JAMA Network Open found that participants who drank sucralose-sweetened beverages reported heightened food cravings and hunger compared to those who consumed naturally sweetened drinks.
4. Common Products Containing Artificial Sweeteners
Many everyday products include sucralose and other artificial sweeteners, such as:
- Diet sodas
- Chewing gum
- Sugar-free gelatin
- Salad dressings
- Maple syrup alternatives
- Flavored coffee syrups
- Barbecue sauces
- Sugar-free jams and fruit spreads
- Baked goods
- Sugar-free candy
- Frozen desserts
- Condiments labeled "sugar-free" or "low-calorie"
-Toothpaste
-Mouth Freshners
5. Recommendations from the WHO
The World Health Organization encourages individuals to reduce sugar intake by choosing unsweetened products or opting for foods with naturally occurring sugars, like fruits.

What is your take on artificial sweeteners?
Yes, I will continue to use till I have more definitive data
Nah, not worth it
References
1. Aspartame-induced cognitive dysfunction: Unveiling role of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and molecular remediation. International Immunopharmacology, Volume 135, 2024, 112295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112295
2. Schiffman, S. S., Scholl, E. H., Furey, T. S., & Nagle, H. T. (2023). Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 26(6), 307–341. https://doi.org/10.1080/10937404.2023.2213903
3. Del Pozo, S., Gómez-Martínez, S., Díaz, L.E., Nova, E., Urrialde, R., & Marcos, A. (2022). Potential Effects of Sucralose and Saccharin on Gut Microbiota: A Review. Nutrients, 14(8), 1682. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14081682
4. Bandyopadhyay, A., Ghoshal, S., & Mukherjee, A. (2008). Genotoxicity testing of low-calorie sweeteners: aspartame, acesulfame-K, and saccharin. Drug Chem Toxicol, 31(4), 447-457. https://doi.org/10.1080/01480540802390270
5. Yunker AG, Alves JM, Luo S, et al. Obesity and Sex-Related Associations With Differential Effects of Sucralose vs Sucrose on Appetite and Reward Processing: A Randomized Crossover Trial. JAMA Netw Open.2021;4(9):e2126313. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.26313
6. Miller PE, Perez V. Low-calorie sweeteners and body weight and composition: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Sep;100(3):765-77. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.082826. Epub 2014 Jun 18. PMID: 24944060; PMCID: PMC4135487.
7. Sofia Pavanello, Angelo Moretto, Carlo La Vecchia, Gianfranco Alicandro, Non-sugar sweeteners and cancer: Toxicological and epidemiological evidence,
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, Volume 139, 2023, 105369, ISSN 0273-2300,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2023.105369.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230023000375)
留言