Health Risk Associated with Artificial Sweeteners?

As a new study appears to highlight the health risks associated with artificial sweeteners, what’s the alternative?

The debate regarding artificial sweeteners and health risks has been heating up.

A recent large-scale study from the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and Sorbonne Paris Nord University reported a 13% higher rise of cancer risk for people who consumed large quantities of artificial sweeteners.

Tracking 100,000 people over 8 years, they observed the highest risk sweeteners were aspartame and acesulfame-K, both used in the UK in soft drinks like Diet Coke, as well as products like yogurts and even cheese

However, independent UK experts claim the study does not prove, or even suggest, we should go back to sugar and turn our backs on artificial sweeteners2. All sweeteners in the EU undergo a safety assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before being allowed to be used in any food and drink.

For those choosing to cut back on sugar but concerned about switching to artificial sweeteners, the science backs Xylitol as a safe natural sugar alternative. Total Sweet® xylitol is made solely from natural European birch and beech wood. Xylitol is EFSA approved3 and helps control blood sugar levels (with a GI value of just 7) making it suitable for diabetics too, as well as being good for bones and teeth. It is also easy to use, as it can be used as a substitute for sugar in nearly any recipe with a 1:1 conversion and tastes just like sugar.