Artificial sweetener being used for coffee

The question of whether artificial sweeteners are helpful or hurtful has been asked for decades. First made popular in the 1950s, these sweeteners were marketed as a healthy alternative to dangerous sugar consumption. In the last 30 years, however, they have towed the line, being linked to a number of health hazards.

A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has found that the use of artificial sweeteners in children has risen 200 percent. From 1999 to 2012, the study found that out of 17,000 people, 25 percent of children admitted to using artificial sweeteners. This was a shocking incline from just 8.7 percent when the study began. It was also found that 41 percent of adults use sweeteners regularly and that the frequency of consumption directly related to increased body weight.

Where do artificial sweeteners come from?

Artificial sweeteners are sugar substitutes created from varying combinations of chemicals and molecules. They came to use during World War I when sugar shortages were common. After the shortages had begun, substitutes such as saccharin were used in canned goods.

Popular sweeteners such as Equalâ and Sweet’N Lowâ are derived from compounds such as aspartame, sucralose and saccharin. These compounds are mostly synthetic (some, like sucralose, have natural ingredients) and have been deemed safe by the U.S. government. They contain far fewer calories than real sugar and are often used as a tool for weight management and/or cutting sugar intake.

What caused sugar substitutes to rise in popularity?

Over-consuming sugar has long been known as a cause of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and a slew of other health issues. As processed foods became more popular in the 1970s, sugar consumption ran rampant in American homes. This lead to higher rates of obesity and a need for a “healthy” alternative. Although sugar substitutes had been around for decades, the rise in obesity brought a “diet-conscious” dynamic to the public. Once that form of thinking took hold of the mainstream, artificial sweeteners had their means for a rise in popularity.

What are the dangers of artificial sugars?

Many studies have been conducted on the validity of sweeteners’ claims of being a healthy alternative to sugar. Several of these studies have linked them to dangerous health conditions. Both the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have given warning to those who use sugar substitutes.

In a statement, both organizations concluded that chemicals contained in artificial sweeteners can be dangerous when over-consumed. This is shadowed by the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed them safe for consumption.

Should parents be concerned?

If the studies that show links between artificial sweeteners and dangerous health conditions are true, then the rising numbers could be detrimental to children’s health.

According to a quote from a Fox News story, Dr. Allison Sylvetsky, assistant professor of exercise and nutrition sciences at George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health said, “The findings are important, especially for children, because some studies suggest a link between low-calorie sweeteners and obesity, diabetes and other health issues.”

Although the studies on negative effects have not been substantiated by the FDA, they have been circulated and publicized for at least 20 years. With over two decades of scientific evidence against artificial sweeteners, it is important to exercise caution in the amount used. In her interview, Sylvetsky also stated,

“We don’t want to tell people to avoid low-calorie sweeteners, because we don’t have a lot of evidence to suggest that they’re harmful, but we also don’t have a lot of evidence to suggest that they’re helpful.”

With so many questions as to whether artificial sweeteners are dangerous for general health, it’s important to consider alternatives. It is also crucial to avoid excessive sugar intake. By using fruit as a natural source of sweetness or drinking water instead of soda, potential health risks can be greatly reduced in children and adults alike.