By james art 
Las Vegas, Nev. (FOX5) – those sugar -free products you buy to stay healthy – it turns out that they may not be as useful as you think.
Consumer Reports addresses why experts cause concerns about sugar substitutes that appear in surprising places.
Trisha Kalvo, a health journalist with consumer reports, says the sugar substitutes are now in various daily foods – sucralose in microwave popcorn, alulose in cereals for breakfast, stevia in ketchup, fruit from a monk in marinated meat – and many of us even Don’t even realize that we are consuming them.
Although they help reduce calories, new studies suggest potential risks. A recent French study found that people who have consumed the amount of artificial sweeteners in about half a can of diet soda have 13 percent higher risk of cancer. Other studies have associated these substitutes with increased risks of heart disease, diabetes and depression. Even the new “natural” alternatives such as Monk Fruit and Stevia are not necessarily more favorable. There is very little research on them.
The food industry maintains that these sweeteners are safe. The Calorie Control Council, an industrial group, says they “provide the texture, taste, convenience and quality that manufacturers need, and consumers want.”
So, what can you do to keep all the sweeteners under control? Experts recommend focusing on whole foods – fruit fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes.
When buying packaged foods, do not only check the facts for eating – scan the list of ingredients for sweeteners such as potassium from Acesulfam, aspartame, sucralose and monastic fruits.
And if you crave something sweet, reach for natural options like fruits instead of processed treats. Small changes like these can help you limit your exposure to sugar substitutes.
The list of sugar substitutes is long and confusing, but consumer reports make it easier to identify when shopping. Visit our full -list website that you can download and pick up together when you shop.
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