Sugar Substitutes: Pros, Cons, and Best Choices

A common sweetener was linked with early puberty in girls in a recent study. An increased risk of cancer has also been reported. See the details in our article about sugar substitutes.

Is long-term use of aspartame, saccharin or sucralose linked with increased body fat, weight gain, and risk of obesity? See what a recent study showed in our updated article about sugar substitutes.

A group of experts recently classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic." Learn what evidence was used to support this classification, and find out if all experts agree with it, in the Aspartame section of our article about sugar substitutes.

Find out which lower-calorie sweeteners are our Top Picks for use in cold beverages, hot beverages (such as in coffee or tea), and baking, in our article about sweeteners.

Does using the sweetener allulose along with sugar help lower blood sugar and insulin levels after a meal? Find out what a recent study showed in the Diabetes section of our article about sweeteners.

Also, find out what the main ingredient is in BetterStevia Organic Glycerite. Hint: It’s not stevia.

Can sucralose (such as in Splenda) cause DNA damage? See what new research suggests in our updated article about sweeteners.

Which sweeteners are most suitable for people with diabetes? Find out in the Diabetes section of our article about sweeteners.

Certain sweeteners should not be used for decreasing weight or preventing chronic diseases, according to a new report. Find out which sweeteners are of concern and why in our updated article about sweeteners.

How does the sweetener acesulfame K (Ace-K), found in products such as Sunett and Sweet One, compare to sugar and is it safe? Find out in our updated article about stevia and sugar substitutes.

Another study has found a link between use of aspartame (in Equal and NutraSweet) and increased cancer risk. Learn more in our article about sweeteners (which covers more than 20 types of sweeteners).

Is Volcanic Nectar Blue Agave a healthier option than other agave syrups? Find out in the Agave syrup section of our CL Answer about stevia and other sweeteners.

Polydextrose, which is sometimes used as a sweetener, can have a range of flavors depending on its form. Get the details in the Polydextrose section of our article about stevia and other sweeteners.

We previously reported that Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener is mostly erythritol, with very little monk fruit. However, not all Lakanto products contain erythritol. Get the details in the Monk Fruit section of our article about the Pros and Cons of Sugar Substitutes.

• How many diet sodas would need to be consumed to exceed the acceptable daily intake limit for aspartame?
• Have sweeteners been linked with ringing in the ears? Read about rare reports with aspartame and saccharin.
• Are tagatose or glycine good options for use as sugar substitutes?

Learn about polydextrose, sorbitol, and trehalose in our article about the Pros and Cons of Stevia and Other Sugar Substitutes.

Also find out if stevia loses sweetness during storage.

Some websites have tried to dismiss the recently reported link between erythritol and heart-related adverse events. Find out why these suggestions are flawed in our article about sweeteners.

Also, find out why some monk fruit sweeteners are sweeter than others and learn about potential safety concerns with aspartame (in NutraSweet and Equal) and sucralose (in Splenda).

How do beverages sweetened with stevia or other low-calorie sweeteners affect blood sugar and appetite compared to sugar-sweetened beverages? See what a recent study found in our updated article about stevia and other alternative sweeteners.

High intake of erythritol was linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in a recent analysis. Should you be concerned? Find out in the Erythritol section of our CL Answer about sweeteners.

Does taking stevia adversely affect cognition or brain function? Find out what research shows in our updated CL Answer about stevia and other natural sweeteners.

• Is allulose (a low-calorie sweetener) likely to form compounds that have been linked with chronic disease?
• How can I avoid allulose made from genetically modified corn?

How did the taste of the low-calorie sweetener allulose compare to table sugar, stevia, and sucralose (Splenda) in a recent study? Find out in our updated article about stevia and other natural sweeteners.

Does allulose, a low-calorie sweetener, have any health benefits or risks? Find out in the Other natural sweeteners section of our CL Answer about stevia and other natural sweeteners.

We've added new safety information to our answer to questions about stevia.

Does lucuma powder, a natural sweetener, have particular health benefits? Find out in the Other Natural Sweeteners section of our answer to the question: What are the health benefits of stevia?