The Potential Toxicity of Artificial Sweeteners

Abstract

Since their discovery, the safety of artificial sweeteners has been controversial. Artificial sweeteners provide the sweetness of sugar without the calories. As public health attention has turned to reversing the obesity epidemic in the United States, more individuals of all ages are choosing to use these products. These choices may be beneficial for those who cannot tolerate sugar in their diets (e.g., diabetics). However, scientists disagree about the relationships between sweeteners and lymphomas, leukemias, cancers of the bladder and brain, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, and systemic lupus. Recently these substances have received increased attention due to their effects on glucose regulation. Occupational health nurses need accurate and timely information to counsel individuals regarding the use of these substances. This article provides an overview of types of artificial sweeteners, sweetener history, chemical structure, biological fate, physiological effects, published animal and human studies, and current standards and regulations.

Review of risk from potential emerging contaminants in UK groundwater

“…Nicotine has a high toxicity to humans, compared to other alkaloids and neonicotinoid pesticides, such as imidacloprid, are widely used. The toxicity of artificial sweeteners as food additives is reviewed by Grice and Goldsmith (2000) and by Whitehouse et al (2008).…”

THEIN VITROEFFECTS OF ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL SWEETENERS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM USING WHOLE BLOOD CULTURE ASSAYS

“…[10] Although artificial sweeteners have been welcomed into the food industry for its beneficial uses, some studies have found correlations between their use and illnesses such as cancers, hepatotoxicity, headaches, allergies, seizures, diarrhoea, and low birth weight. [9] Commercially available saccharin is almost 300-500 times sweeter than sucrose. [11] This artificial sweetener is probably one of the most scrupulously researched sweeteners since its discovery, with much of the focus pertaining to its potential role in bladder cancer.…”

“…[1] The manufacture of artificial sweeteners by the food industry, promised consumers the sweetness of sugar without the calories. [9] Diabetic patients and individuals wanting to control their weight have access to these products that allow them the pleasure of a sweettasting treat without adverse health effects. [1] These alternate sweeteners are used extensively as additives in food, beverages, confectionary, and in the pharmaceutical sector.…”

“…Their implication in various diseases has raised much questionability with respect to their safe use. [9] Therefore, it is necessary that these sweeteners be subjected to toxicity screening to determine their effects on human health.…”

“…[12,16] Sucralose has been branded under the name Splenda TM and has a wide variety of uses in the food industry. [9] The production of sucralose involves the replacement of three chlorine atoms for three hydroxyl groups in sucrose. The safety concern of this compound arises because of the existence of three chlorine atoms, which make it an organochloride.…”