Beware of Sugar Substitutes

SUGARS – Part 3

This third article in our sugar series explores a particularly interesting topic: “fake sugars”, or sugar substitutes, found in a wide range of food products. These sweeteners gained popularity quickly when they first hit the market—but today, what do we really know about them? Are they truly a healthy choice?

Sucralose (Splenda®), stevia (SweetLeafStevia®), aspartame (Equal®, Nutrasweet®, Nutrasuc®), neotame, saccharin (Hermesetas®), cyclamates (Sugar Twin®, WeightWatchers®), acesulfame-K (Sunett®), thaumatin, sugar alcohols, and polydextrose are all considered sugar substitutes, or artificial sweeteners.

These products were originally introduced as alternatives for people with diabetes and to help curb the rising rates of obesity. However, what researchers are now observing is ironically an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (commonly called adult-onset diabetes) and obesity with the use of these very substitutes.

Why is that?

The explanation is simple. These “fake sugars” are 30 to 600 times sweeter than regular sugar. This overstimulates the brain’s pleasure receptors. The problem? The brain never receives the actual reward it expected from the sweet taste—leading to more cravings for sugary foods throughout the day.

There’s also a psychological reward effect: “I had a diet soda, so I can have dessert!”—ultimately increasing overall calorie intake.

What’s more, when the sweet taste enters your mouth, your saliva signals the pancreas—responsible for insulin production—to prepare for incoming sugar. But there’s a catch: there is no real sugar in the bloodstream.

For people with diabetes, this is particularly problematic. Their pancreas already struggles to produce insulin. Consuming sweeteners causes the pancreas to work needlessly, adding unnecessary strain on an already weakened system.

So, are sugar substitutes part of a healthy, balanced diet?

The answer is no.