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Types of Artificial Sugars

Artificial sugars--sweeteners that, in the quantities commonly used, have no calories, do not elevate blood sugar and do not cause tooth decay--are a perennially popular choice for dieters, diabetics, and others who want to minimize their sugar intakes. These sweeteners face tough scrutiny from health watchdog groups as well as from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All have been studied extensively and are approved by the FDA as being safe for consumption in moderate quantities.

  1. Sucralose

    • Sucralose, a sweetener made by chemically altering table sugar, was FDA approved in 1998. With less of an aftertaste than some of the earlier chemical sugar substitutes, it gained wide popularity in the 2000s.

      Sucralose is commonly used as an additive in sugar-free products, is sold as a powder, and is blended with regular sugar for baking. It is commonly sold under the brand name Splenda.

    Aspartame

    • Aspartame is a chemical sweetener made from aspartic acid and phenylalanine, protein components that, individually, occur naturally foods containing protein. It was FDA approved as a sweetener in 1981. Aspartame carries a warning label specifically for people with phenylketonuria, who should not consume phenylalanine.

      Aspartame is commonly used as an additive, and as a powder under the brand name NutraSweet.

    Neotame

    • Neotame is a newer version of aspartame, approved by the FDA in 2002. It contains no phenylalanine. It is marketed as both a flavor enhancer and a sweetener.

      Neotame is used primarily as an additive. It falls under the NutraSweet brand.

    Stevia

    • Stevia is a South American herb that is many times sweeter than sugar. Although it is a natural product, it was not approved for use as a sweetener by the FDA until 2008.

      Stevia is sold as a liquid extract and, more commonly, as a powder. Steiva is sold as a sweetener under the brand name Truvia.

    Acesulfame Potassium

    • Acesulfame Potassium, or Acesulfame K, is a derivitave of acetoacetic acid that was approved by the FDA in 1988.

      Acesulfame K is used primarily as an additive in packaged foods and beverages listed as Ace-K or Sunett, and is sold as a powder under the brand name Sweet One.

    Saccharin

    • The oldest artificial sweetener, saccharin was first approved for use in the U.S. in 1979. It has been the most extensively studied by far. Contrary to popular belief, saccharin is considered a safe artificial sweetener; it has not carried a warning label since 2000.

      Saccharin is still used as an additive, and is sold as a powder under the brand names Sweet N Low and Sugar Twin.

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