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Artificial Sweeteners By Dan Young Since the “low-carb” craze has abated, the new fad seems to be “low sugar.” The funny thing is, they mean essentially the same thing. Just check it out; take a stroll down any of the center aisles at your neighborhood grocery store. About 11% of all packaged foods are now labeled “reduced sugar!” Buyers Beware If the calories or sugar have been reduced, then why does the stuff still taste so good? Well, it’s probably because the manufacturer has switched to a sugar substitute. Understanding what sweeteners your favorite products are now using will help you make healthier choices. Splenda is the trade name for a new synthetic sweetener compound called Sucralose. The FDA has approved Splenda to be safe and can be labeled “natural” because their manufacturer Johnson and Johnson claims that it is made from sugar, a claim that the Sugar Association disputes. Here are the facts: Sucralose is made up of two molecules of sucrose (sugar) and three molecules of chlorine. Since it is synthetic, it is not recognized by the body as food — that’s why it has no calories! The problem is, our digestive systems try to clear unrecognizable substances from our systems by digesting them. Absorption does take place and these chlorinated molecules get stored in your fat cells. This will take years to know whether they are influencing your health. Nutrition Quarterly · 2020 – Volume 4 14 What We’re Reading