They are found in soda, cakes, cookies, cereals, frozen food, chewing gum, protein powders, puddings, and more. The industry is huge and booming 

The global artificial sugar market was valued at $7.2 million in 2022 and is expected to reach $9.7 billion by 2028 and 12 billion by 2032 as unaware consumers continue to drive sales.

Marketed as a “healthy” alternative to cane sugar, many people think that they are doing a good thing by switching out regular cane sugar with an imposter. Sadly, this is not the case.

There are many types of artificial sweeteners used in food and beverage products. These include aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and acesulfame potassium (acesulfame K). 

• Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It’s found in many diet drinks and foods, including sugar-free yogurt, cereals, and chewing gum. 

• Sucralose is a no-calorie sweetener that’s about 600 times sweeter than sugar. It can be used in baking and cooking because it’s heat stable. 

• Saccharin is a low-calorie artificial sweetener that has been around for a long time. It’s about 300–400 times sweeter than sugar and is found in many diet drinks, foods, and condiments. 

• Acesulfame K is a no-calorie sweetener approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar.

It’s no secret that artificial sweeteners are a popular choice for those looking to cut back on sugar, which causes disastrous health problems. Research shows that these fake alternatives come with significant risks.

Studies expose the horrific truth about artificial sweeteners 

Studies have found that consuming artificial sweeteners could increase the risk of obesity,  diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. Researchers at the University of Sydney found that artificial sweeteners could actually increase sugar cravings. 

Evidence suggests that artificial sweeteners may disrupt the body’s metabolism, leading to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. 

Low-calorie fake sugar substitutes can also wreak havoc on the gut microbiome and even cause gut bacteria to permeate cells in the intestinal wall leading to a high risk of infection or organ failure. 

Scary stuff, right? Buckle up… it gets worse.

Fake sugars linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease

A recently published study in BMJ that followed 100,000 adults for almost ten years is one of the largest to date to find a connection between artificial sweeteners and cardiovascular health.

The results of this study showed that persons who consumed a large amount (77 milligrams per day or less than two packs of tabletop artificial sweetener) of aspartame – found in packets of Equal and NutraSweet and also in diet soda, cereals, yogurt, granola bars, protein bars, and candy – had a higher risk of stroke than those who did not consume the sweetener.

It was also discovered that persons who consumed high amounts of sucralose found in Splenda, baked goods, ice cream, yogurt, syrups, canned fruit, and “sugar-free” soda had an elevated risk of coronary heart disease.

These results, and the stacks of earlier research, clearly show that artificial sweeteners are NOT a safe alternative to sugar. The body processes them as foreign substances and reacts accordingly!

Next steps

If you consume artificial sweeteners – STOP! The answer is not to go back to regular sugar – that is also a dangerous road to go down. Instead, use natural sweeteners such as raw, local honey, monk fruit, organic dates, or figs in moderation. 

Take a look at your diet. Are you consuming grass-fed meats, organic vegetables, wild-caught seafood, and healthy fats? If not, it’s time to get on track. Find out everything you need to know about healthy eating here.

If you have a sugar habit that you just can’t quit – schedule a FREE 20-minute call with one of our expert health coaches to discuss a plan to get you on track to your 100 Year Heart!

Medical Review: Dr. Jack Wolfson 2023