the world in recent years has seen a surge in people with health problems not caused by malnutrition, but rather 'overnutrition'

countries like the USA have one of the highest numbers of obese populations, primarily caused by lifestyle and diet factors.

this has led to a new trend in food where the health conscious are very particular about the things they consume.

people who watch their diet typically observe their daily calorie intake to suit their lifestyle and avoid over-consuming. the demand for low calorie foods have sparked the development and usage of artificial sweeteners which contain close to zero calories and yet serve the same function of sugar. to provide 'sweetness' to food products, without the unwanted carbohydrates.

artificial sweeteners include aspartame - which is used in 'coke zero' a popular derivative of coca-cola, stevia - which is 300 times sweeter than sugar and is recently recognized as 'generally regarded as safe' (GRAS), saccharin - one of the oldest developed artificial sweetener, and many more.

the saying 'there is no free lunch in this world' leads us then to these questions -

what are the drawbacks to using artificial sweeteners?
health effects?
psychological preconceptions about using artificial sweeteners?
what do malaysians think about the usage of artificial sweeteners in food?


discuss.

i can only agree wit that statement..

Is there any research/details so as to prove that these artificial sweeteners does not bring about health complications?

I felt the GRAS-recognition is only because of 'so far no concrete findings that proves it is unhealthy'-arguments.
But then again it's tail-chasing scenario, pretty much similar to GM-food.

I was once told by a lecturer of mine how artificial sweetener was widely used
He is a fanatic of war history
So the story goes, during the world war, German a country which is small and poor in resources do not have sugar for the population. So as we know science and technology evolved the most during the world war, Saccharin was made and germans thrive on it.


Still, i see no harm in artificial sweeteners commonly used.
The usual ones are very similar to our edible sugar, but due to its optical configuration our body cannot absorb it, enzymes simply cant work with these artificial sugar.

the effect is u feel good when u have something sweet in ur mouth

artificial sweeteners especially aspartame produces adverse effects in some individuals.
most common manifestation would be migraines.
its also linked to some psychiatric conditions such as hallucinations and depression i guess..it is also known to precipitate seizures...
although there isn't any concrete proof that artificial sweeteners are detrimental to health.
i think its best that we consume natural sugars instead of chemical sugars.
after all aspartame was first discovered as a drug.. not a sweetener..

Geez... It's always this statement isn't it? XD

well.. in medicine we have yet to produce any evidence.
still stuck at the observation stage.. thus "isn't any concrete proof" comes into play

oh well, leave it to the consumers.. freedom of choice no?

it's this thing about that 'no-concrete-proof-yet' sort of statements u see.
While it might take indefinitely long to come out with a concrete proof, when it is successfully proven, no one would consume sweetener anymore.

i somewhat doubt those sweetener lobbyist would allow tht too happen

aspartame is also known to be carcinogenic in high doses. however it remains one of the most popular artificial sweeteners used in drinks nowadays.

most artificial sweeteners, when consumed - although they provide some degree of sweetness, which is pleasurable - have also been known to give a strange aftertaste or/and alter the overall taste and feel of the product which it is used in. psychological or chemical?

bitterness maskers and flavour enchancers are now also developed to be included with artificial sweeteners, likening it to the domino effect. tumble 1, and the rest follows.

also, if given a choice, would any of u go for a product with artificial sweeteners?

u can always opt for less sugar instead.
i hate aspartame. taste weird

aspartame is a drug. and all drugs at high doses have adverse effects.
so everytime u glup down a diet coke, remember its a dose of medication right there.

so is caffeine which is a psychoactive drug, but i digress.

in nutrition, the most basic and simple rule is to consume in moderation. therefore, everything consumed in excess will either be detrimental or undesirable.

the question is whether to avoid, or embrace?

think of the people with health problems, or people who are really concerned with their diet. small doses wont kill. there are many more 'unhealthy' chemicals consumed on a daily basis

This post has been edited by b3ta: Sep 27 2009, 09:11 PM

Yes. I agree.

Even if we take high doses on sugar, it became harmful.

Nowdays, more people dies because of too much food, causing cancer, diabetes, diabetes melitus, an so on.

Not even we eat unhealthy consumed product, but we also package it using plastics.
These carcinogen things also make the unhealthy products became more harmful.


This post has been edited by kekacang: Sep 27 2009, 11:52 PM

Natural sweeteners like Stevia Rebaudiana and Synsepalum Dulcificum can be a good choice than artificial sweetener.

stevia is banned in a couple of countries (controversial) but is GRAS however, research is needed to demonstrate total safety.

it's also classed as a supplement instead of an additive by the FDA. thing is, these governing bodies for food regulations are so affected by major food corporations that some decisions made by them can be controversial at times.

also, i have tasted pure stevia before. tastes nasty. it's 300 times sweeter than sugar and if u put some on ur tongue it will taste so sweet it's bitter and leaves a strong odd aftertaste. im in the opinion that it will not totally emulate the taste and feel of sugar.

That's really helpful b3ta, I haven't taste it yet but keen to have them in my little herbs collection.
Do you have them b3ta? Are they are quite difficult to rear and died easily?

I only have Synsepalum Dulcificum, still waiting in vain for her first fruits.

the one i have tasted was in powder form and practically ready to be used with food products.

Ugh... now that's awful...

it was.

stevia is meant to be used in low concentration though. a little is already enough.

Diet coke uses aspartame + ace K and it's hugely popular

do any of u guys drink d.coke?