With Diabetes becoming too common in the 21st Century ,up are the markets of artificial sweetners but DON'T BLINDLY MAKE ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS A PART OF YOUR LIFE. LEARN WHAT THEY ARE ABOUT AND ENSURE THEY REMAIN A HEALTHY AND YUMMY PART OF YOUR MENU
If you use artificial sweeteners all the time, you better know what the deal is with these calorie less sachets .
Artificial sweeteners are a group of edible synthetic substances, with an ability to sweeten. As they sweeten with either, zero or negligible calories, they are also called nonnutritive sweeteners.
Artificial sweeteners have the following merits vs sugar:
Zero or negligible calories
No contribution to blood Glucose levels
Non promotion of dental caries
Owing to the above merits, these are recommended for individuals suffering from Diabetes Mellitus and obesity. The usage how ever, has to be within the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), which is the amount an adult (m/f) can safely consum over their lifetime without risk (table to calculate your ADI enclosed). The key benefit of using a sweetener is that diabetics can satisfy their sweet cravings without affecting their blood sugar. For the obese, they can continue to indulge their meals with a bit of sweet thrown in. Healthy individuals can also use artificial sweeteners but within the ADI. Remember, consuming artificial sweetener containing food e.g. diet cola, also adds to your daily intake.
e NOTE: i) Refer label of your artificial sweetener brand to find out the type.
ii) Calculate the ADI.
Example, if you weigh 60 kilos and Aspartame is your sweetener, then your ADI for Aspartame, is: 50 mil ligrams (mg) X 60 kilos = 3000 mg The demerits? Artificial sweet eners have been linked to can cer in the past. Currently, major health bodies have declared all approved ones as safe and as non-cancer/disease causing for all, including pregnant women and children (the only exception is aspartame, which is not recommended for phenylketonurics). However, non-proof of an ill effect doesn't imply non-existence.
Artificial sweetener demerit is thus, a grey area.
Though cause-effect relationship is unproved, it may be prudent to avoid: All sweeteners for children below 10 years and pregnant women (possible teratogenic effect).
Aspartame in epileptics and migraine sufferers and Acesulfame K in sulfa-antibiotic allergy may trigger seizure/migraine/allergy bout.
So Check your ADI before consuming and Stay sweet.
