Tag Archives: sugar

Sugar vs. Aspartame (artificial sweetener): if you were to ask anyone which of the two they think is the healthier alternative, the majority of people would say the latter. Is that really the case, or is the negative connotation associated with “sugar” masking the truth?

For years people have been trying to cut down on their sugar intake and have been looking for a healthier alternative. For some, they miss and crave the sweet taste of sugar because their body is unable to properly regulate it. As a result, many of these people have found their solution in artificial and natural sweeteners. One of the most successful and controversial artificial sweeteners, aspartame, has especially sparked the interest of many. Is it better or worse than its sugar counterpart?

Over the last couple of decades, many claims have stated that aspartame increases the risk or is a cause of the following: headaches, dizziness, or depression. A 2007 study showed a link between cancer and aspartame in rats. Ironically, links to long-term weight gain have also been tied to aspartame intake.

On the other hand, Aspartame has been deemed safe for consumption up to 50 mg per kg of body weight, even in pregnant women and children. It is also a safe alternative for people with diabetes who cannot consume high sugar levels.

Comparing the pros and cons, aspartame looks to have some bad effects, but they can only be speculated, and has no real scientific basis to prove or disprove these claims. On the other hand, aspartame has been scientifically proven to be safe for consumption.

There are too many reasons to list why lots of sugar intake is bad for you.  Therefore, I am all for the switch to sweeteners like aspartame instead of sugar.