2022-06-22

For many of us, the relationship we have with sugar is love at first taste, and that love usually lasts a lifetime. But what price do we have to pay for this truly addictive1, sugary love? Rotten teeth? Heavier bodies? Raised blood sugar levels? Or even type 2 diabetes2?

Time to quit perhaps? Easier said than done. What's the alternative? Many would suggest using sweeteners as a substitute. But are sweeteners healthier than sugar?

Sweeteners are usually low-calorie or calorie-free substances that have a similar taste to sugar. It is estimated that more than a quarter of British households buy artificial sweeteners to help cut their sugar intake3.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved some of the health claims food manufacturers have made about sweeteners such as xylitol, sorbitol and sucralose. These include preventing tooth decay and controlling blood sugar levels.

According to the National Health Service in the UK, sweeteners are safe to use and are especial