sweeteners
sweeteners

Sweeteners

Common names: Aspartame (Brand Names: Equal, NutraSweet; E951), Sucralose (Brand Name: Splenda; E955), Saccharin (Brand Names: Sweet’N Low, Sweet Twin; E954), Steviol Glycosides (Brand Name: Stevia; E960), Acesulfame Potassium (Brand Names: Ace-K, Sunett; E950).
See the full list of safe or harmful ingredients on the Food Ingredient Checker
KIDSADVISORY SAFETY RATING
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Caution
Published by Jordana Tobelem, RD, LDN — Last Updated on Apr 1, 2025
Medically reviewed by Dr. William Lin, MD
Sweeteners are substances used in the food industry to provide sweetness without the caloric content of sugar. They are incorporated into a variety of products, including beverages, baked goods, and confectioneries, to cater to consumers seeking low-calorie or sugar-free options. Beyond sweetness, certain sweeteners also contribute to the texture, preservation, and shelf-life of food items.[1]
Despite their benefits, some sweeteners have been associated with potential health concerns. For instance, studies have suggested links between artificial sweeteners and Increased risks of cancer, kidney disease, and heart disease.[2] However, regulatory bodies like the FDA consider approved sweeteners safe when consumed within established guidelines.[3]

Safety Overview

Regulatory Bodies

FDA (US)
Several high-intensity sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and steviol glycosides are FDA-approved as safe within Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) limits and undergo ongoing safety reviews.[4]
Health Canada
Health Canada deems sweeteners like steviol glycosides and aspartame safe within ADI limits, ensuring safety through monitoring and periodic reviews.[5]
EFSA (Europe)
EFSA approves sweeteners like aspartame (E951) and sucralose (E955) as safe within ADI limits, with periodic reevaluations based on new science.[6]
WHO (World Health Organization)
WHO does not recommend the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) as a strategy to reduce sugar intake and manage calorie consumption, particularly in addressing obesity and diabetes.8 Recent evidence suggests that the use of NSS does not have any long-term benefits in reducing body fat in adults or children, alongside other undesirable effects from its long-term use.[7]

FDA GRAS

U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
Current Status
Classified

EWG Rating

Environmental Working Group
  • EWG Rating: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns ratings to sweeteners based on factors like nutrition, ingredient concerns, and processing levels.[8]
  • Level of Caution: EWG advises caution with certain low-calorie sweeteners due to potential health concerns and the lack of long-term studies on their safety.[9]
  • Possible Health Risks: Some studies suggest that artificial sweeteners may not aid in weight loss and could potentially lead to increased cravings for sweet foods, though more research is needed.[8]
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More about Sweeteners

  • Diet Sodas and Sugar-Free Beverages: Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Diet Snapple
  • Sugar-Free Chewing Gums and Candies: Trident Sugar-Free Gum, Orbit Sugar-Free Gum, Werther’s Original Sugar-Free Hard Candies
  • Low-Calorie or Sugar-Free Baked Goods: Atkins Endulge Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pillsbury Sugar-Free Brownie Mix, Halo Top Low-Calorie Ice Cream

Historical Use
Artificial sweeteners have been utilized since the late 19th century, with saccharin being discovered in 1879. Their popularity surged during the mid-20th century, especially during sugar shortages in World Wars I and II, as cost-effective sugar substitutes.[10]
Current Exposure
Today, consumers frequently encounter artificial sweeteners in a wide array of products, including diet sodas, sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and low-calorie baked goods. The prevalence of these sweeteners has increased significantly, with reports indicating that approximately 30% of adults and 15% of children in the USA consumed artificially sweetened beverages between 2007 and 2008.[11]

Cancer Risk
Early studies raised concerns about artificial sweeteners like saccharin and cyclamate being linked to bladder cancer in laboratory animals; however, subsequent research has not provided clear evidence of a cancer risk in humans.[12]
Cardiovascular Health
Recent studies have observed potential associations between artificial sweetener consumption and an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, though causation has not been definitively established.[2][13]
Metabolic Effects
Some research suggests that artificial sweeteners may negatively impact glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, potentially increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.[14]
Gut Microbiota Alteration
Artificial sweeteners may disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, which could lead to metabolic changes and adverse health outcomes, though more research is needed to fully understand these effects.[15]

Toxicological Studies
Extensive toxicological evaluations have been conducted on artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, to identify potential adverse effects, including impacts on reproductive and nervous systems, carcinogenicity, and metabolism. These studies help establish Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) levels to ensure consumer safety.[16]
Long-Term Safety
While artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe when consumed within the established ADI, some research suggests potential associations with increased risks of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, particularly with high consumption of certain sweeteners like erythritol. However, more long-term clinical studies are needed to fully understand these effects.[17]

High-Risk Groups
Vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, individuals with metabolic disorders, and those with pre-existing health conditions, may be more susceptible to the potential adverse effects of artificial sweeteners. For instance, children have lower body weights, which could lead to higher relative exposure levels, and pregnant women may experience metabolic changes that affect how these substances are processed.[18]
Health Impacts
Research indicates that excessive consumption of artificial sweeteners in these groups may be associated with an increased risk of metabolic

Recommended Intake
Regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) levels for various artificial sweeteners to ensure consumer safety. The ADI represents the maximum amount considered safe to consume daily over a lifetime, expressed in milligrams per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg bw/d).[19]
ADI’s
Aspartame: 50 mg/kg bw/d
Sucralose
5 mg/kg bw/d Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): 15 mg/kg bw/d
Saccharin
15 mg/kg bw/d
Steviol Glycosides (Stevia)
4 mg/kg bw/d

General Safety Level
Most commonly used sweeteners, including aspartame, sucralose, and steviol glycosides, are considered safe for general consumption when used within approved limits established by regulatory bodies like the FDA and EFSA.4Research indicates that adverse reactions are rare for the majority of the population.[20]
Sensitive Individuals
Some individuals may exhibit sensitivities to certain sweeteners, such as aspartame, which can trigger symptoms in those with phenylketonuria (PKU) due to its phenylalanine content.6 Artificial sweeteners like saccharin and sucralose have occasionally been associated with minor gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, though these cases are infrequent.[21]

References

  1. Britannica, 2024. 'Sweetener.' Available at: https://www.britannica.com/topic/sweetener ↩︎
  2. Harvard Health Publishing, 2023. 'Sugar substitutes: New cardiovascular concerns?' Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/sugar-substitutes-new-cardiovascular-concerns ↩︎
  3. Mayo Clinic, 2023. 'Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes.' Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/artificial-sweeteners/art-20046936 ↩︎
  4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2023. 'Additional Information about High-Intensity Sweeteners Permitted for Use in Food in the United States.' Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/additional-information-about-high-intensity-sweeteners-permitted-use-food-united-states ↩︎
  5. HealthCanada, 2024. 'List of Permitted Sweeteners.' Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-additives/lists-permitted/9-sweeteners.html ↩︎
  6. EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Food (ANS), 2013. 'Scientific Opinion on the Re-evaluation of Aspartame.' EFSA Journal, 11(10): 3496. Available at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3496 ↩︎
  7. EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Food (ANS), 2013. 'Scientific Opinion on the Re-evaluation of Aspartame.' EFSA Journal, 11(10): 3496. Available at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3496 ↩︎
  8. Environmental Working Group (EWG), 2014. 'EWGu2019s Food Scores.' Available at: https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/ ↩︎
  9. Environmental Working Group (EWG), 2014. 'Low-calorie sweeteners: Are they better or worse for you than sugar?' Available at: https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/content/low-calorie-sweeteners/ ↩︎
  10. Science History Institute, 2009. 'The Pursuit of Sweet.' Available at: https://www.sciencehistory.org/stories/magazine/the-pursuit-of-sweet ↩︎
  11. Qin, P., et al., 2020. 'Sugar and artificially sweetened beverages and risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and all-cause mortality: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.' European Journal of Epidemiology. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32529512/ ↩︎
  12. National Cancer Institute, 2023. 'Artificial Sweeteners and Cancer.' Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/artificial-sweeteners-fact-sheet ↩︎
  13. Srour, B., et al., 2022. 'Artificial sweeteners and risk of cardiovascular diseases: results from the NutriNet-Santu00e9 cohort.' The BMJ. Available at: https://www.bmj.com/content/378/bmj-2022-071204 ↩︎
  14. Debras, C., et al., 2022. 'Artificial Sweeteners and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in the Prospective NutriNet-Santu00e9 Cohort.' Diabetes Care. Available at: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/46/9/1681/153434/Artificial-Sweeteners-and-Risk-of-Type-2-Diabetes ↩︎
  15. Suez, J., et al., 2023. 'Investigating the effects of artificial sweeteners.' Nature Reviews Endocrinology. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-023-00860-1 ↩︎
  16. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2023. 'Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food.' Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food ↩︎
  17. Cleveland Clinic, 2023. 'Cleveland Clinic Study Finds Common Artificial Sweetener Linked to Higher Rates of Heart Attack and Stroke.' Available at: https://newsroom.clevelandclinic.org/2023/02/27/cleveland-clinic-study-finds-common-artificial-sweetener-linked-to-higher-rates-of-heart-attack-and-stroke ↩︎
  18. Shivaramu, H.S., et al., 2024. 'Understanding Artificial Sweeteners and Food Colorantsu2014their Impact on Human Health.' International Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice, 18(1), pp.8-15. Available at: https://ijopp.org/article/8020 ↩︎
  19. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2023. 'Safe Levels of Sweeteners.' Available at: https://www.fda.gov/media/168517/download ↩︎
  20. Magnuson, B.A., et al., 2017. 'Critical review of the current literature on the safety of sucralose.' Food and Chemical Toxicology, 106A: 324-355. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0273230016300493 ↩︎
  21. Geuns, J.M.C., 2003. 'Stevioside.' Phytochemistry, 64(5): 913-921. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14561506/ ↩︎

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