What Actually Are Artificial Sweeteners?

 by Lissiana J

I am sure that we have all wondered what makes drinks like Diet Coke and Pepi Max so sweet even though they are marketed as “sugar free”. Perhaps, you would rather not know about all the chemical compounds which are incorporated into the majority of baked goods, sweets and drinks nowadays. Nevertheless, it is relevant to question whether they have an effect on us. 

Artificial sweeteners are mainly used by people who suffer from Diabetes or Obesity as a way of maintaining blood glucose levels and calorie intake, but they are found in every sugar-free item in the supermarket. Additionally, these sweeteners do not contribute to tooth decay therefore are used in gums to promote oral health. The most used sweeteners in the UK are aspartame (E951), acesulfame K (E950) and sorbitol (E420). These sweeteners are about 600-1300 times sweeter than sucrose so only a tiny amount is necessary for a desirable sweet taste. A common complaint regarding artificial sweeteners is that there is a prominent bitter aftertaste. This is because, unlike pure sugar which dissolves on the tongue and disappears promptly, the taste of artificial sweeteners lingers in the mouth for a while.

Before the sweeteners are introduced to the UK, they undergo an evaluation process which includes a thorough risk assessment to ensure they are safe before consumption. These tests have to show that the sweetener in question does not cause allergic reactions, does not affect fertility, does not cause any adverse effects and is not stored within the body. In addition, as part of the approval process, an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)  level is set for each sweetener which is the estimated amount per kilogram of body weight that one can consume on average without risk. To put this into context, the average adult would have to consume around 15 cans of Diet Coke daily over their lifetime before reaching their ADI. Despite this, there have been concerns that these sweeteners are associated with potential health risks and apparent links with cancer and other diseases. But more specifically around the effect of sweeteners on the compositions of the gut biome yet scientific studies have not found concluding evidence to support these claims. In accordance with the EU regulation, some foods in the UK are prohibited from including artificial sweeteners in their recipes. For instance, the foods specifically prepared for infants and toddlers do not include the sweetener additives in order for the children to achieve optimal developmental growth. 

In our current times, it is, quite frankly, impossible to sustain a sugar-free diet so we must acknowledge that we will always be exposed to these artificial sweeteners and that they are in fact okay within moderation.