What are the consequences of the prolonged use of artificial sweeteners in our diet?
Abstract:
Non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) are sugar substitutes that are increasingly being used as alternatives to sugar for weight loss and dieting purposes. Extensive research has allowed the safe use of six current artificial sweeteners. Further research still being conducted however, is beginning to demonstrate that consumption of artificial sweeteners, particularly in high doses and on a long term basis may have serious health consequences. Prolonged consumption of artificial sweeteners can have neurobehavioural effects and induce the development of glucose intolerance. Furthermore, long term use of artificial sweeteners has been linked to obesity …show more content…
Saccharin was the first sugar substitute introduced and since its introduction, numerous studies have been conducted to ascertain whether or not it bears carcinogenic risks. From approximately 20 study groups analysing the effect of high concentrations of saccharin, only one group found a positive correlation between saccharin use and increased incidence of bladder cancer (Fukushima et al. 1983, Weihrauch and Diehl 2004). Similar studies were conducted using cyclamate following its introduction in 1951. Takayama et al. (2000) discovered through a long-term toxicity study in which 21 monkeys were fed cyclamate five times per week from a few days after birth for up to 24 years. From that group of 21, only three monkeys developed malignancies. The authors concluded that there was no evidence for carcinogenicity of cyclamate due to the fact that the types of the cancers differed and furthermore, were observed at a normal rate of development in monkeys. From the beginning of its introduction into the market in 1981, aspartame was free of any suspicion of carcinogenicity following studies that demonstrated, even in high doses, aspartame has no cancer-inducing effects (Hagiwara et al. 1984). Since then, there have been many studies into the carcinogenic potential of aspartame such as Olney et al. (1996) who contended that aspartame …show more content…
2008), aspartame still remains one of the most controversial food additives due to the aforementioned risks associated with metabolic disorders and cancer. More recently, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame have also been demonstrated to have neurobehavioural effects. In a study conducted by (Lindseth et al. 2014) patients who consumed a high-aspartame diet for eight days were observed to exhibit more depression, have more irritable moods and perform worse on spatial orientation
Abstract:
Non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) are sugar substitutes that are increasingly being used as alternatives to sugar for weight loss and dieting purposes. Extensive research has allowed the safe use of six current artificial sweeteners. Further research still being conducted however, is beginning to demonstrate that consumption of artificial sweeteners, particularly in high doses and on a long term basis may have serious health consequences. Prolonged consumption of artificial sweeteners can have neurobehavioural effects and induce the development of glucose intolerance. Furthermore, long term use of artificial sweeteners has been linked to obesity …show more content…
Saccharin was the first sugar substitute introduced and since its introduction, numerous studies have been conducted to ascertain whether or not it bears carcinogenic risks. From approximately 20 study groups analysing the effect of high concentrations of saccharin, only one group found a positive correlation between saccharin use and increased incidence of bladder cancer (Fukushima et al. 1983, Weihrauch and Diehl 2004). Similar studies were conducted using cyclamate following its introduction in 1951. Takayama et al. (2000) discovered through a long-term toxicity study in which 21 monkeys were fed cyclamate five times per week from a few days after birth for up to 24 years. From that group of 21, only three monkeys developed malignancies. The authors concluded that there was no evidence for carcinogenicity of cyclamate due to the fact that the types of the cancers differed and furthermore, were observed at a normal rate of development in monkeys. From the beginning of its introduction into the market in 1981, aspartame was free of any suspicion of carcinogenicity following studies that demonstrated, even in high doses, aspartame has no cancer-inducing effects (Hagiwara et al. 1984). Since then, there have been many studies into the carcinogenic potential of aspartame such as Olney et al. (1996) who contended that aspartame …show more content…
2008), aspartame still remains one of the most controversial food additives due to the aforementioned risks associated with metabolic disorders and cancer. More recently, artificial sweeteners such as aspartame have also been demonstrated to have neurobehavioural effects. In a study conducted by (Lindseth et al. 2014) patients who consumed a high-aspartame diet for eight days were observed to exhibit more depression, have more irritable moods and perform worse on spatial orientation