Artificial sweeteners: Are they actually safer than sugar?

Artificial sweeteners are everywhere,

Erythritol, stevia, lactitol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol 

I’m sure you’ve heard those names before

But..

Are they healthy? Or are they harmful?

Let’s weigh it out..

Artificial sweeteners are typically low on the GI scale

This means they don’t negatively effect blood sugar very much ..

Erythritol: Has a GI of 0

Stevia: Has a GI of 0

Lactitol: Has a GI of 3

Sorbitol: Has a GI of 4

Xylitol: Has a GI of 7–13

Maltitol: Has a GI index 40

Table sugar (sucrose) on the other hand has a Gi index of 63.

So, from a blood sugar standpoint, sweeteners are generally safer than regular table sugar

Now for the bad news...

The body can’t fully absorb artificial sweeteners in the small intestine,

So it travels to the large intestine where it’s fermented by gut bacteria

This leads to digestive issues like diarrhoea, gas and bloating

So, do the pros outweigh the cons?

That would depend on your gut sensitivities and the amount being consumed

Like with many things, diet related, 

It’s the case of the dose making the poison.