Dr. Oz: Dr. Oz claims that people can have an “addiction to artificial sweeteners.”
What the Research Shows: There is no such thing as an addiction to low calorie or “artificial” sweeteners. No scientific studies have shown that using low calorie sweeteners makes people crave them more. Humans naturally like sweet things.
Dr. Oz: Dr. Oz claims “…and since artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than natural sugars, they can reset your taste buds, causing you to crave them more.”
What the Research Shows: There is no science to support this. Low calorie sweeteners are sweeter than sugar, but much less of them is used to achieve a comparable level of sweetness. By FDA regulation, tabletop packets of low calorie sweeteners are equally as sweet at two teaspoons of sugar. So, regardless of which packet is used at the coffee shop, it is all going to taste equally as sweet. Furthermore, research has shown that people who use low calorie sweeteners may actually have better quality diets than people who do not consume them. The author of one such study stated, “Those using products containing low-calorie sweeteners were more aware of the nutrients they were eating and were more likely to eat leafy-green vegetables, fruit and yogurt.”
Dr. Oz: Dr. Oz claims “Researchers believe that reduced calorie sweeteners like saccharin, aspartame and sucralose can cause your appetite to increase so you end up consuming more putting you at risk for weight gain and diabetes”
What the Research Shows: Numerous studies have shown that low calorie sweeteners have no effect on appetite. And, a significant amount of research has demonstrated that low calorie sweeteners can help people lose or maintain their weight. People are always concerned that they are going to have to eat “rabbit food” if they want to lose weight or control their diabetes. Low calorie sweeteners can allow people to enjoy the foods they like without adding extra pounds or spiking their blood sugar levels. Plus, it is well known that weight loss improves blood sugar control, so if people use low calorie sweeteners to help them lose weight, then low calorie sweeteners will indirectly be helping control their diabetes as well.
Dr. Oz: Dr. Oz claims regarding“…sugar free candy, gums; I don’t understand why we eat so much of it because it doesn’t have the benefit we desire…”
What the Research Shows: Sugar free gum does have benefits because it does not promote cavities. Plus, research shows that chewing sugar free gum can reduce snack intake and suppress hunger and desire for sweet snacks.
Dr. Oz: Dr. Oz claims “The average American consumes 24 lb of them [low calorie sweeteners] every year.”
What the Research Shows: The average American consumes less than one ounce of low calorie sweeteners a year, according to data from the Chemical Economics Handbook Marketing Research Report.
The use of low-calorie sweeteners in place of sugar can result in products significantly reduced in calories when compared with their traditional counterparts. In light of the current obesity epidemic, it is important that consumers have available a wide variety of good tasting, reduced-calorie products as tools to assist to them in addressing their calorie goals.
Do you have questions about low-calorie sweeteners? Want to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle? You asked and we listened. Our resident Registered Dietitians answered the most popular questions about low-calorie sweeteners.
