The Rise in Popularity of Artificial Sweeteners

Nearly everyone enjoys the taste of something sweet from time to time, rather it be a tasty apple, a milk product or even regular table sugar in a cookie. Although, there arises a problem when the consumption of sugar is too high, leading to issues like diabetes, weight gain, and a multitude of other problems. This is why the creation of artificial sweeteners seemed like such a God-send at first, we could eat all the sweets we want without the worry of all the negative side effects associated with high levels of sugar consumption. Through the course of this presentation we will explore the creation and rise of artificial sweeteners and the consequential scrutiny that befell them. While artificial sweeteners coming under fire is not a new topic, it is one that has recently become popular again due to a variety of studies and theories about how it coincides with an addiction to the taste of sweetness and how it alters the biology of our internal organs.

Artificial Sweeteners are so much sweeter than natural sugars that we gain a taste for them, which makes normal sugar seem less sweet leading to higher consumption of foods with artificial sweeteners and overall more weight gain and an unbalanced diet. (“Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter,” 2015) also (Swithers, 2015) Artificial sweeteners may change the actual microbiota of the gut which in turn induce glucose intolerance (Suez, Thaiss, Maza, Shapiro, Elinav, Halpern, & Kolodkin-Gal, 2014). Not all sweeteners are created equal, as they have varying chemical structures the knowledge we have of each is limited and each could had the potential for negative side effects.

There seems to be a movement towards awareness about the potential downsides of non-caloric artificial sweeteners leading to an increase in overall awareness of health. Although, on the other hand some argue since the artificial sweeteners are not directly absorbed into the body and therefore there is little to worry about.

Currently the strategy for combating these possible health concerns is an increase in studies and an increase in awareness, teaching about the different sources of sugar and the healthy amounts and the downsides to artificial sweeteners, regardless of their allure. As more awareness gains momentum and we gain more solid research it might be possible to have food manufacturers alter their ingredients and perhaps drop non-caloric sweeteners altogether.

As we gain more knowledge we can be more educated in our consumption of sugars and as a result be healthier as a civilization. We also need to instill our children with this knowledge, because they are our future and they are the least likely to do the research and therefore understand how something that seems beneficial can also in fact be worse for our health than the natural alternative. We also need strong emphasis on moderation, sugar is okay if consumed in lower amounts, instead of trying to find an alternative quick fix or cheat.