Artificial sweeteners, also known as non-nutritive sweeteners, were developed for the purpose of reducing the sugar content of foods without diminishing their sweetness. Even in the 1800s when the first artificial sweetener was discovered, people were already aware that too much sugar intake causes serious health issues. Artificial sweeteners, being 200 to 20,000 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar) while being calorie-free, became the go-to solution to mankind’s sugar problem, allowing us to indulge in sweet cravings without packing on calories. [1]
Since the accidental discovery of saccharin – ironically named after the Latin word for sugar – in 1879, consumption of artificial sweeteners, especially in the United States, has increased exponentially. In fact, in the early 1900s, doctors even prescribed regular doses of saccharin as part of a healthy weight loss regimen. [2] As people became more and more dependent on artificial sweeteners, the food industry began to explore more lucrative ways to make use of these sugar substitutes. Meanwhile, researchers began to experiment with various chemicals, looking for something that could trump the latest artificial sweetener in terms of sweetening intensity.
But what was meant to be good and healthy and helpful soon turned out to be harmful in many ways. Numerous studies have now emerged detailing the adverse effects associated with prolonged and excessive use of artificial sweeteners. These reports not only highlight the dangers of consuming chemical additives but also raise significant questions about how regulatory agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are carrying out their role of “protecting the public health” and “ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply.” [3]
Artificial sweeteners to avoid, according to science
Over the years, researchers have come up with a mountain of evidence showing that some artificial sweeteners deserve to be banned and urgently removed from food products. Here are four of the most dangerous FDA-approved artificial sweeteners (in no particular order) widely used by the food industry and what science has uncovered about their toxicity:
Aspartame
One of the most popular artificial sweeteners used today, aspartame is sold under the brand names Nutrasweet and Equal. It is also one of two sugar substitutes used to sweeten Coke Zero, a zero-sugar soda that’s now beloved by many around the world. [4]
But while aspartame – the product of combining two naturally occurring amino acids, namely, aspartic acid and phenylalanine – is well-known as a “blood sugar-friendly sweetener,” not many are aware of the fact that in 2023, it was classified as a possible human carcinogen by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. While experts cited “limited evidence” for its carcinogenicity, they acknowledged that existing evidence of its potential to cause harm is enough to warrant further investigation. [5]
In 2017, a study published in the journal Research in Nursing & Health also linked excessive aspartame consumption to adverse neurobehavioral effects. The report noted that people on a high-aspartame diet “had [a] more irritable mood, exhibited more depression, and performed worse on spatial orientation tests.” [6] Meanwhile, a 2023 study published in the journal Nutrients highlighted the association between daily aspartame intake, especially at high doses, and an increased risk of brain tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphomas and multiple myelomas. [7]
Other studies have also reported that regular consumption of aspartame can harm the kidneys and cause toxic liver disease. [8]
Sucralose
Also discovered by accident in 1976, sucralose is made in the lab by substituting three chloride atoms for the three hydroxyl groups attached to the sucrose molecule. More potent than aspartame, which is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar, sucralose is 450-650 times sweeter than sucrose! [9] It was approved by the FDA as an alternative to table sugar in 1998 and is sold under the brand name Splenda.
According to a review article published in the journal Life, sucralose consumption is linked to several adverse health effects, such as liver damage, inflammation, dysbiosis (gut microbial imbalance), decreased insulin sensitivity and weight gain due to increased appetite. [10] Studies on mice also found that high doses of sucralose can suppress the immune system, lowering levels of T cells, a type of immune cell that helps protect the body from infections and fights cancer. [11][12]
Meanwhile, cell culture studies have revealed that sucralose-6-acetate, a chemical formed in the body after sucralose digestion, can damage DNA. This can increase one’s risk of developing serious health conditions such as cancer. In the same study, researchers exposed human gut cells to sucralose-6-acetate and found that, aside from causing “leaky gut,” this toxic chemical also increased the expression of genes related to oxidative stress, inflammation and cancer development. [13]
Saccharin
The first non-nutritive sweetener to be commercialized, saccharin was an accidental discovery by a researcher at Johns Hopkins University who was looking for new uses for benzosulfimide, a coal tar derivative. [14] Saccharin is 300 to 400 times sweeter than table sugar and is fairly stable with a long shelf life. But because of its bitter aftertaste, saccharin is often combined with other artificial sweeteners in medicines and food products. [15]
As early as 1906, concerns have been raised about the safety of saccharin, most notably by Harvey Wiley, head chemist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the time. Wiley proposed a ban on saccharin for its possible toxicity, but his recommendation was opposed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was taking doses of saccharin as part of his doctor-prescribed weight loss regimen. While the sweetener was eventually banned in 1912, it made a comeback during World War I due to a sugar shortage in America.
Although marketed as calorie-free, studies on mice and humans have found that saccharin can raise blood sugar levels. Researchers believe this is caused by the changes in gut microbes triggered by exposure to saccharin. [16] Meanwhile, an animal study published in the journal Medicina reported that long-term consumption of saccharin can increase one’s risk of developing obesity, diabetes, liver dysfunction and impaired kidney function. [17] A more recent study also linked long-term saccharin consumption to reduced blood sugar control, oxidative stress and an increased risk of atherosclerosis. [18]
Acesulfame potassium (Ace K)
Acesulfame potassium, discovered in 1967, was a product of German research, specifically by the chemical company Hoechst AG. A heat-stable, highly water-soluble white powder, acesulfame potassium, or Ace K, was approved by the FDA for use in the U.S. in 1988. Ace K is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose and is sold under the brand names Sweet One and Sunett. But like saccharin, it has a bitter aftertaste and is often used in combination with other sweeteners, such as aspartame. In fact, this high-intensity combo is what gives Coke Zero its sugar-free sweetness. [19]
According to an animal study published in the journal PLoS One, Ace K consumption causes a significant shift in gut microbial composition. This shift, unfortunately, favors weight gain, suggesting that regular intake of Ace K could play a contributing role in obesity. [20] The study also highlighted evidence of Ace K’s ability to cause DNA damage. Meanwhile, a 2022 cohort study published in PLoS Medicine found that people who consumed high amounts of Ace K had an overall higher cancer risk than non-consumers. [21]
Healthy natural alternatives to sugar
Despite the popularity of artificial sweeteners, they’re not your only option if you’re on a quest to go sugar-free. There are safer alternatives to sugar that come from natural sources and that offer health benefits instead of causing harm to your body.
Here are 7 healthy sugar substitutes you won’t regret adding to your diet:*
Manuka honey
Manuka honey is a dark-colored honey made by bees from nectar collected from the flowers of the Leptospermum scoparium (manuka) bush. Known for producing highly potent, medical-grade honey, this Leptospermum species can only be found in New Zealand and Southeastern Australia. [22]
Although not as sweet as regular honey, manuka honey (and honeys in general) is still sweeter than regular sugar, thanks to its higher fructose content. [23] This means that if you use honey to sweeten your food or drink, you’ll need less to achieve the same level of sweetness than if you use table sugar.
But what makes manuka honey extra special and better for your health than most sweeteners is its nutrient content and unique non-peroxide activity (NPA), which comes from methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO is naturally formed while manuka honey ripens from a compound called dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which is present in manuka nectar. [24] This NPA, commercially expressed as Unique Manuka Factor (UMF), is responsible for manuka honey’s many benefits.
According to studies, manuka honey from New Zealand and Australia typically contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, potassium and trace amounts of copper. It also contains plant-derived proteins as well as bee-derived proteins like major royal jelly protein 1, which boasts numerous health-supporting properties. [25] Other beneficial components of manuka honey include bioactive peptides, dicarbonyl compounds like MGO, and high amounts of antioxidant flavonoids and phenolic acids. [26]
If you’re looking for ultra-clean, lab-verified manuka honey, the Health Ranger Store is offering Health Ranger Select Premium Manuka Honey MGO 514+ (15+ NPA), one of the finest high-potency manuka honey products on the market. This premium manuka honey has an MGO rating of at least 514 and an NPA rating of at least 15. Harvested from Australia’s pristine bushlands and forests, our manuka honey is certified Kosher and Halal-certified by our trusted suppliers. It is also meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Organic coconut palm sugar
Considered one of the healthiest natural sugar substitutes available today, coconut palm sugar is popular among health-conscious consumers because of its high nutritional value and low glycemic index. Although not as sweet as refined sugar, coconut palm sugar tastes almost like brown sugar instead of coconuts, but with a sweet caramel, somewhat neutral flavor. [27]
Coconut palm sugar is made from the fresh sap collected from coconut palm tree (Cocos nucifera) blossoms. This sap is heated on open flames until it thickens and crystallizes, forming a light to dark brown sugar. Coconut palm sugar has a lower fructose content than cane sugar but a richer nutrient profile. According to nutrient analysis, coconut palm sugar contains the following: [28]
· Free amino acids
· Vitamins C and E
· Minerals like iron, phosphorus, potassium and zinc
· Potent antioxidants like flavonoids, anthocyanidins and polyphenols
It is also worth noting that unlike refined sugar, coconut palm sugar contains inulin, a type of dietary fiber (prebiotic) that can feed the beneficial bacteria living in your gut. The presence of inulin in this natural sweetener is also one of the reasons for its low glycemic index. [29]
A good source of essential nutrients and beneficial phytonutrients, our Health Ranger Select Organic Coconut Palm Sugar offers a wholesome way to elevate the flavor and texture of foods when used in moderation. It is also a smart choice for those watching their sugar intake due to its low glycemic index.
With its delicately sweet flavor, Health Ranger Select Organic Coconut Palm Sugar is the ideal healthy sweetener for your smoothies, shakes, spreads, cereals, energy bars and desserts. It is non-GMO, non-China, certified Kosher and organic, and extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. It is also available in long-term storable #10 cans.
Organic stevia extract
Stevia is a zero-calorie sweetener with a long history of use as a natural sugar substitute. Indigenous inhabitants of South America have been using the dried leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant to sweeten their teas and medicines for more than 200 years. The stevia sweetener, first commercially marketed in Japan in the 1970s, refers to sweet-tasting compounds called steviol glycosides that are extracted by steeping S. rebaudiana leaves. [30]
According to studies, there are 11 major steviol glycosides in stevia leaves, with stevioside and rebaudioside A being the most abundant. Stevioside is 150 to 300 times sweeter than sucrose, while rebaudioside A is 200 to 400 times sweeter. Because these steviol glycosides pass through the upper intestinal tract fully intact and are eventually excreted in urine, they provide zero calories. High-purity stevia leaf extract containing 95% or greater steviol glycosides is among the best natural sweeteners with the lowest glycemic index. [31]
The Health Ranger Store recognizes the need for healthy alternatives to processed sugar, which is why we're bringing you one of the best zero-calorie natural sugar alternatives available on the market today. Made from premium organic Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaf extract, Groovy Bee® Organic Stevia Extract Powder is much sweeter than regular table sugar but also much healthier.
Since regular stevia has a bitter aftertaste, our premium organic stevia extract powder has been enzymatically enhanced to eliminate this characteristic “licorice-like" aftertaste. Groovy Bee® Organic Stevia Extract Powder contains no gluten, calories or GMOs and has been thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. It is also certified Kosher and organic.
Organic monk fruit extract
Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii), also known as luo han guo, Swingle fruit and Buddha fruit, is another rich source of sweet-tasting compounds that offer zero calories and just pure sweetness. Although the fruit, native to Southeast Asia, contains fructose and glucose, its sweet taste mainly comes from unique chemicals called mogrosides, which also act as antioxidants. [32] Mogrosides are extracted from the freshly pressed juice of monk fruit and are said to be 100 to 250 times sweeter than table sugar. [33]
Monk fruit contains several mogrosides with varying sweetness intensity: Mogrosides I and II are just as sweet as sucrose, while mogroside III is reported to be tasteless. [34] Mogrosides IV and V, meanwhile, are approximately 250 times sweeter than table sugar. Because the human body doesn’t recognize mogrosides as either carbohydrates or sugar, they do not impart calories nor trigger an insulin response. This makes monk fruit the perfect natural sweetener for people who are watching their blood sugar levels. [35]
A revolutionary natural sugar alternative packed with antioxidants, Health Ranger Select Organic Monk Fruit Low-Carb Sugar Substitute contains almost no calories and has a zero glycemic index. It is made from 100% organic monk fruit without any artificial additives or aftertaste. Because it is much sweeter than regular table sugar, you only need to use a fraction of the amount you would normally use with sugar to achieve the same sweetness.
Use Health Ranger Select Organic Monk Fruit Low-Carb Sugar Substitute to enhance the taste of your favorite smoothies, shakes, baked goods, desserts and other recipes without guilt or worry. Our premium monk fruit extract powder is vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free and certified Kosher and organic. It has also been meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Organic lucuma
A subtropical fruit that hails from the Andean region of Peru, Chile and Ecuador, lucuma is the sweet-tasting fruit of the Pouteria lucuma tree. The flesh of a fully ripe lucuma fruit is often described as somewhat dry with a pumpkin-like sweet flavor. Because of its ability to sweeten any dish it is added to, lucuma is widely used as a natural sugar substitute in powder form. Lucuma powder tastes like “butterscotch and sweet potato with undertones of maple syrup or caramel.” [36]
Despite its natural sweetness, lucuma powder has a low glycemic index of only 25. [37] It is also a good source of essential nutrients, such as plant-based protein, dietary fiber, vitamins B1, B2, B3 and C, and minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium. [38] Lucuma is also rich in powerful antioxidants, such as vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids and triterpenoids. In fact, studies show that lucuma has one of the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds, which are well-known plant antioxidants, among Peruvian fruits. [39]
If you wish to try this antioxidant-loaded, low-glycemic sugar substitute, the Health Ranger Store is offering Groovy Bee® Organic Lucuma Powder. Derived from clean, organic Pouteria lucuma fruit, this healthy natural sweetener is perfect for your homemade pastries, snacks and desserts. It’s also a nutritious sweetener for your morning coffee, afternoon tea and post-workout shakes or smoothies.
Groovy Bee® Organic Lucuma Powder is vegan, non-GMO, non-China, gluten-free, certified Kosher and organic. It has also been extensively lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Organic date sugar
Date sugar is a natural sweetener derived from whole, pitted dates. These nutritious fruits are naturally sweet due to their fructose content but surprisingly have a low glycemic index. [40] This makes date sugar a great alternative for people watching their blood sugar levels. According to studies, the low glycemic index of dates is thanks to their high fiber content, which can slow down the absorption of sugars like fructose and glucose. [41][42]
In addition to fiber, dates can provide other important nutrients such as protein, vitamin B6, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and potassium. They are also a good source of potent antioxidants, such as flavonoids, carotenoids and phenolic acids. [43] Because dates don’t undergo extensive processing (they are only dehydrated then ground to resemble granulated sugar), date sugar retains most – if not all of – fresh dates’ original nutrient content. [44] This makes date sugar not only wonderfully low glycemic, but also deliciously nutritious.
The Health Ranger Store recognizes the need for healthy alternatives to processed sugar, which is why we're thrilled to bring you one of the best-tasting alternatives to regular sugar. Not only does Health Ranger Select Organic Date Sugar have a low glycemic index, but it also contains plenty of antioxidants and essential nutrients that are not found in regular table sugar and most other sweeteners.
The perfect healthy alternative to processed sugar and artificial sweeteners, Health Ranger Select Organic Date Sugar is made with organic dates without the use of any artificial additives. Use it as a healthy alternative to regular sugar for your baking and cooking needs. Our premium organic date sugar is non-GMO, non-China, certified Kosher and organic. It has also been thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Organic maple sugar
Maple sugar is a healthy natural sweetener made from boiling maple syrup until only granulated sugar remains. Maple syrup is made by boiling the sap from maple trees until its natural sugar condenses into a thick liquid. [45] While high in natural sucrose, maple sugar provides essential minerals, such as calcium, manganese, potassium and zinc. It also contains over 50 different bioactive compounds, many of which have potent antioxidant and other health-supporting properties, according to studies. [46]
Compared to cane sugar, maple sugar has fewer calories per serving as well as a lower glycemic index. [47][48] These qualities make maple sugar an overall healthier sweetener than refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup. For people who wish to try this delicious and nutritious sweetener, the Health Ranger Store is thrilled to introduce our NEW Health Ranger Select Organic Maple Sugar Powder.
Made from 100% pure organic maple syrup, this premium powder is the perfect alternative to regular sugar and artificial sweeteners. Because organic maple sugar powder is much sweeter than refined sugar, you only need to use a comparatively smaller amount to achieve the same level of sweetness. Health Ranger Select Organic Maple Sugar Powder is non-GMO, non-China, certified Kosher and organic, and thoroughly lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology. It is also available in long-term storable #10 cans.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
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