Alert: The dangers of artificial sweeteners that put your health at risk

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises against using sugar-free sweeteners for weight loss.

Sweeteners that replace sugar would also not help reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer or diabetes, according to the report.

The WHO warns that, in fact, prolonged use of sweeteners would increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and premature death in adults.

This would apply to all sugar-free sweeteners, from saccharin and sucralose to stevia, including those used in foods and beverages, such as “light” or “zero” soft drinks.

The increase in cases of overweight or obesity and the search for the ideal body have led many people to change their diet on their own and without professional guidance.

One of the first substances eliminated from the menu is sugar and finding a healthy substitute is one of the biggest difficulties for those who are on a diet or cannot eat it. As a result, the artificial sweeteners market is growing rapidly, increasing the supply of products to consumers and also the dangers to human health, as many of these sweeteners are not sufficiently tested and their long-term risks are unknown.

Between sucralose, aspartame and cyclamate, just to name a few, the artificial sweeteners sector generates US$1.5 billion a year. The little research into the dangers that such substances can pose to the human body and its results are not accepted as a consensus by the medical community and are also little publicized.

RISKS THAT ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS MAY REPRESENT TO HEALTH

Sweeteners have their consumption approved by regulatory bodies in each country – in Brazil, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) is responsible for the release of any food products and is based on the Codex Alimentarius, a program that follows guidelines from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). But with this controversy regarding the potential toxicity of these substances, it is important to evaluate the pros and cons of each sweetener, taking into account the health history and needs of each patient.

Some studies, such as the one published by Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolismstate that the regular consumption of artificially sweetened products, such as gelatin, juices and “light” or “diet” soft drinks, is as harmful to health as a high intake of white sugar, and is related to weight gain and increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarctions and strokes.

Some types of cancer, such as bladder cancer and leukemia, in guinea pigs are also related to the deliberate consumption of artificial sweeteners, such as sodium cyclamate, which has already been banned in some countries, such as England and the United States. In Brazil, the limit for sodium cyclamate is 56 mg for every 100 ml or 100 g. Saccharin, another sweetener that contains sodium, is banned in Canada, can be dangerous to the urinary tract, especially the kidneys, and increase the risk of stroke.

5 SWEETENERS MOST HARMFUL TO THE HUMAN ORGANISM

Sucrose, common sugar, is made up of a glucose molecule associated with a fructose molecule and is extracted mainly from beets and sugar cane. It is also an important source of energy for the functioning of the body. Sugars are essential for regulating protein metabolism. For this reason, they should not be excluded from the diet.

To replace sucrose, there is a wide range of products, the consumption of which, however, should also be moderated, as they can be potentially harmful. Find out which artificial sweeteners put your health at risk:

Aspartame:

Possibly the most harmful synthetic sweetener, aspartame is also one of the most consumed, mainly because it is present in many “diet” foods. Upon reaching the digestive system, aspartame releases two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, which is especially harmful to people with phenylketonuria, a genetic condition that impairs the absorption of this amino acid. The accumulation of this substance is related to neurological diseases, while excessive consumption of aspartame can cause nausea, headache and attention deficit.

Sodium Saccharin:

The danger of saccharin is due to the sodium present in its composition. Its use is not recommended for children, pregnant women and people with fluid retention problems, kidney failure, kidney stones and loss of bone density.

Sucralose:

It is the most consumed synthetic sweetener in the world. There is evidence that sucralose becomes especially harmful to the body when heated. A recent research carried out at Unicamp points out that burning sucralose molecules at 90 ºC for at least 15 minutes releases toxic and cumulative substances with carcinogenic potential.

Acesulfame Potassium (Acesulfame-K):

Again, the long-term effects on humans cannot be confirmed, so the dangers are considered according to research carried out on guinea pigs. Therefore, potential risks cannot be ruled out, such as endocrine problems (in the thyroid and pancreas) and the increase in benign tumors. Its use is not recommended for those who need to limit their potassium intake.

Sodium Cyclamate (Sweetener E952):

There is evidence that its consumption is related to the emergence of neoplasms. For this reason, its use is prohibited in the United States, Japan and France. Just like saccharin, as it contains sodium, attention should be paid to cyclamate consumption in patients with kidney dysfunction and high blood pressure.

Other substances such as xylitol, sorbitol, glycerol, erythritol, MANNITOL e maltitol They are not absorbed by the intestine and can cause diarrhea and flatulence. Its prolonged use should be avoided.

NATURAL SWEETENERS ARE ALSO DANGEROUS

High consumption of natural sweeteners can also put your health at risk! Fructose, present naturally in fruits, cereals and honey, for example, when ingested in large quantities, can deregulate liver functions and promote weight gain and diseases associated with obesity.

Agave nectar or syrup is sold as a natural sweetener, however, it is a processed food and ideally its consumption should be recommended by a doctor or nutritionist, mainly due to the high level of fructose in its composition.

Another natural product that should not be consumed in large quantities is tagatose. Made from lactose, milk sugar, tagatose is not metabolized by the body and can cause gastrointestinal discomfort, intolerances or allergies.

While we still do not know all the risks that artificial sweeteners pose against the human body, the rule is the same for every healthy diet: moderation, avoiding excessive consumption and giving preference to natural or minimally processed foods. The maximum consumption dose of each sweetening substance is based on Anvisa’s ADI (Recommended Daily Intake) and must appear in the nutritional table on the product packaging. That’s why it’s so important to get into the habit of reading labels and finding out about the foods you eat.