Are Artificial Sweeteners good for you?

An artificial sweetener is a synthetic (chemical) sugar substitute used to sweeten food and drinks without adding significant calories. These sweeteners are often much sweeter than regular sugar.

Key Features:

• Low or zero calories

• High sweetness intensity (often 100–700 times sweeter than sugar)

• Used in: diet sodas, sugar-free gum, baked goods, yogurts, and many more items

• Helpful for: weight management, diabetes control, and reducing sugar intake

Common Artificial Sweeteners:

Name	Brand Example	Sweetness (compared to sugar)
Aspartame	Equal, NutraSweet	~200x
Sucralose	Splenda	~600x
Saccharin	Sweet 'N Low	~300x
Acesulfame K	Sunett, Sweet One	~200x

💡 Note: Artificial sweeteners are regulated for safety by the FDA. It’s always better to consume a natural sweetener like stevia, agave nectar or monk fruit extract.

Do they affect blood sugar or metabolism?

YES! artificial sweeteners can impact insulin by causing premature insulin release from the sweet taste, which can lead to reduced insulin sensitivity (insulin resistance) over time and by altering gut bacteria in ways that disrupt normal glucose metabolism.  Some studies have shown that certain sweeteners like sucralose can increase insulin levels and indicate a potential link between high consumption and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Additionally, because they are a chemical, your body (specifically your Liver) can't process it and it can cause inflammation in the liver leading to fatty liver disease.

If you'd like more information on this topic please contact me!