Sugar substitutes (Artificial Sweeteners) can be said to be popular products in modern society. Because of their sweet taste but low calorie content, sugar substitutes have quickly become the darling of diabetics and people who lose weight. There are also many foods on the market that use artificial sugar substitutes, advertised as low-calorie healthy foods to attract customers. But are sugar substitutes really healthy? Is it harmful to the body? Can Sugar Substitutes Cause Bladder Cancer?
Can Sugar Substitutes Cause Bladder Cancer?
Although sugar substitutes are generally accepted by people, there are still some people who stay away from this artificial sweetener, because studies have pointed out that excessive consumption of sugar substitutes may have side effects such as headaches. In the United States, more studies have found that certain sugar substitutes can cause bladder cancer in experimental mice. People are worried that sugar substitutes will increase the chance of cancer.
Taking moderate amounts does not harm your health. Even so, current research has not confirmed that taking sugar substitutes can cause bladder cancer or other adverse effects. As long as you take it properly, it will not overdose, and you can eat it safely. For the sake of peace of mind, when buying processed foods, you should pay attention to the sugar substitutes in the food labels to make choices to protect your health. After all, sugar substitutes bring sweet enjoyment to people, and at the same time eliminate the trouble of obesity, its existence value is still certain.
How much do you know about the types of sugar substitutes
Sweet and low-calorie sugar substitutes are popular among dieters. There are also many sugar substitutes on the market to choose from. Now I will introduce you to the various “family members” of sugar substitutes.
Types of sugar substitutes
There are several types of sugar substitutes available on the market, including:
1 Saccharin
It was the first artificial sweetener discovered (1877) and the most widely used sugar substitute. Saccharin is 300 times sweeter than normal sucrose and contains no calories. It is often used in diet foods or beverages. In the 1970s, there was a research showing that saccharin made animals suffer from bladder cancer in experiments, but other experiments have not found any adverse effects on humans. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that the intake of saccharin should not be more than 500 mg for children and 1000 mg for adults.
2 Aspartame
It is 200 times sweeter than sucrose. It has high sweetness and low calories, but the sweetness will disappear when it is higher than 80°C. It is often used in low-calorie candies or drinks such as diet cola and diet candies. However, it is not suitable for patients with Phenylketonuria.
3 Acesulfame K
Acesulfame also known as Acesulfame potassium is 200 times sweeter than sucrose, contains no calories, and is heat-resistant, so it is often mixed with aspartame and saccharin.
4 Cyclamate
Which is 30 times sweeter than sucrose, was widely used in the 1950s and 1970s. Later, it was banned by the US government because of studies that found that animals could develop bladder cancer. Both the International Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union Market consider it safe and continue to use it. This article was reviewed by our consultant doctor
