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Articles on Artificial sweeteners

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Research on possible links between aspartame consumption and cancer is ongoing and far from conclusive. celsopupo/iStock via Getty Images Plus

WHO expert cancer group states that the sweetener aspartame is a possible carcinogen, but evidence is limited – 6 questions answered

An expert panel found a potential association with liver cancer, but too little research exists to assume a causal connection. For now, the WHO left current consumption guidelines unchanged.
Sugar alternatives go by many names including artificial sweeteners, low-calorie sweeteners and nonsugar sweeteners. Marie LaFauci/Moment via Getty Images

WHO’s recommendation against the use of artificial sweeteners for weight loss leaves many questions unanswered

The WHO report concluded that habitual use of nonsugar sweeteners is linked to a modest increase in diabetes, hypertension and stroke. But the research it’s based on has limitations.
Sugar is just one of many flavor enhancers people and companies use to sweeten foods and beverages. Marie LaFauci/Moment via Getty Images

What’s the difference between sugar, other natural sweeteners and artificial sweeteners? A food chemist explains sweet science

Just because something is sweet doesn’t necessarily mean it is sugary. There are a number of molecules that taste sweet. To understand how and why takes a little bit of chemistry.
There are dozens of options for children’s drinks in most supermarkets. Choosing the healthy options is difficult. ferrantraite/E+ via Getty Images

Companies are pushing sweetened drinks to children through advertising and misleading labels – and families are buying

A new study looked at advertising and purchase data for children’s drinks and suggests that ads and pricing strategies contribute to sweetened children’s drink purchases.
Coca-Cola is the world’s most popular carbonated soft drink. The original is made with sugar, but the others contain artificial sweeteners that are now linked to a rise in obesity and diabetes. By Chones/shutterstock.com

Diet soda may be hurting your diet

Mounting evidence suggests that artificial sweeteners are linked to chronic health problems like obesity and diabetes. Should there be a tax on these foods?
It’s the quantity of sugar we consume that’s bad for us. Carol Green

Health check: five sweeteners and what they mean for you

People have been eating sweet foods for eons. Fruit (fructose), milk (lactose), cane (sucrose), and honey (fructose and glucose) provide us with energy for growth and development. But in these days, we…
Aspartame contains virtually no kilojoules in the minute quantity needed to sweeten a beverage or solid food. Pascal/Flickr

Sweet news: No evidence that artificial sweetener aspartame’s bad for you

Everyone who works in a chemistry laboratory knows that you don’t use your taste receptors to check if an unknown chemical is safe or deadly poisonous (or if you do, you may do it only once). But if this…

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