Artificial Sweeteners

Saccharin - found in pink Sweet 'n Low packets and diet sodas, this sweet (and a bit metallic) artificial sweetener passes through the human digestive system without being digested and so offers 0 calories. Charges of causing cancer in humans were finally dropped a few years ago.

Aspartame - found in Nutrasweet, NutraTaste, Equal and Canderel packets (and diet sodas), aspartame has a relatively short shelf-life and breaks down under heat (so no baking!). Unlike Saccharin, aspartame is actually digested by the body and offers 4 Kcal/gram. If you're actually cutting calories, avoid using 20 packets of the stuff in your coffee. Aspartame is not for people with PKU but has been cleared by the FDA as safe for humans at normal consumption levels.

Sucralose - found in yellow Splenda packets, this is the sweetest artificial sweetener listed in this post. It also passes through the body undigested and personally I think it's chemical structure is quite amazing. It's stable under high temperatures!

Acesulfame-K - The K is for Potassium! However your body doesn't actually get any potassium from it. It passes through undigested.



All of these sweeteners were discovered accidentally.

Sweeteners are often mixed together in sodas, candies, gum, toothpaste and baked goods.
Many of these are too complex for bacteria in your teeth to digest and therefore can't cause cavities.
These sweeteners are considered safe based on the average amount the FDA expects you to consume during your lifetime. If you're having 2 cokes a day, that's probably too many.