Artificial Sweeteners, Good or Bad?

 Many people have heard of and used sweeteners like Stevia, Splenda, and others, but are they actually good for you? While the prevailing consensus is that these artificial sweeteners have helped some cut back on their sugar intake and lead healthier lifestyles, research has suggested that they are unhealthy if used as a sugar substitute due to their ingredients. Some artificial sweeteners that have been shown to be extremely dangerous are saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, and neotame (if taken in excess), so if any of these ingredients are listed on any foods, know to stay clear. 

Plus, it is extremely easy to take these sweeteners in excess as, for example, saccharin is 300 times sweeter than regular sugar with many other sweeteners following in the same trend. Therefore, these sweeteners may in fact increase the cravings for sugary, processed foods instead of decreasing them due to their high level of sweetness. The best options would probably be Stevia or erythritol, due their low glycemic indexes, and other more natural substances like honey or maple syrup.