Sweeteners under the microscope
Sugar-free products rely on sweeteners to keep that sweet taste without the calories. But are these sweeteners actually safe?
Two types of sweetener
- Artificial sweeteners: aspartame, acesulfame K, sucralose, saccharin
- Natural sweeteners: stevia, monk fruit, erythritol, xylitol
What does the research say?
Approved sweeteners are rigorously tested across Europe by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). Every approved sweetener comes with an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), a safe daily amount at which no harmful effects have been demonstrated.
Common concerns
Some people report headaches or digestive discomfort with certain sweeteners, particularly sugar alcohols such as xylitol when consumed in larger amounts. This tends to be an individual sensitivity rather than a general safety issue.
Practical advice
For most people, sweeteners are perfectly safe within normal usage amounts. That said, it's wise to vary things a bit, rather than relying on a single type of sweetener all day long.