Many people use artificial sweeteners in an effort to eat healthier but still enjoy the sugar taste they like so much. They also do it to help them lose weight but there is conflicting information about the effects of these artificial sweeteners in the long run. One concern is that they can increase a person’s risk of various types of cancer.
However the Food and Drug Administration carefully monitors such products. They have completed independent studies regarding the various affects of the different types of artificial sweeteners.
Their research shows there is no risk of cancer from using them and the rumors about it are nothing more than urban legend. The various artificial sweeteners in these research tests include saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, neotame, and cyclamate.
Many of the claims that artificial sweeteners can cause cancer are linked to early reports that the sweetener cyclamate and saccharin together resulted in bladder cancer in laboratory rats. Yet there is no evidence found that shows the same happens in humans. There are skeptics that believe what happens to lab rats often are replicated in humans. Keep in mind that such research was found in the 1970’s and millions of people use these artificial sweeteners on a daily basis.
The Food and Drug Administration mandated a serious of controlled tests after these initial results were brought to their attention. They discovered male rats did develop the bladder cancer at a high rate but only when they were given extremely high amounts of saccharin and cyclamate. Based on their body weight it was determined that it was not feasible for humans to consume these artificial sweeteners at the same level.
When you mix this basic information with information that is passed from one person to another it spreads like a wildfire. There is also the issue of information that is found on the internet. Most people believe if they read it online it has to be true. The fact is that anyone can put up a website and it can include the information that a person wants to you know. It is a good idea to verify such information before taking it at face value.
