Before you make the choice to use synthetic sweeteners, think about what you already heard about them and what you need to know about man-made sweeteners. Doctors are talking about potential negative effects of man-made sweeteners. People use them for varying reasons, and there are many types to choose from.

What are synthetic sweeteners?

Man-made sweeteners are sugar replacements that taste like sugar but are synthetic, in other words artificial sweeteners are man-made.

Why use synthetic sweeteners

Out of the myriad reasons a person might purchase a man-made sweetener, these are the most popular:

•    To accelerate weight loss - because man-made sweeteners are low in calories, this means that those who are on a weight loss diet can put away the same foods as they normally would whilst still reducing weight.

•    Your smile will thank you. Certain man-made sweeteners actually reduce the PH level in plaque.

•    Diabetes - folks with diabetes have much to watch for when maintaining their blood sugar levels, and consuming man-made sweeteners can help them enjoy a more varied diet while still enabling them to sensibly track their blood sugar levels.

•    Cost - artificial sweeteners are less expensive than sugar.

What varieties of man-made sweeteners are available?

The most common types of artificial sweeteners that are widely in stores in the USA, and have been given green light by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are:

•    Saccharin (e.g., Sweet 'n' Low) - was the first artificial sweetener to be discovered in 1879.  Saccharin sweetens 500 times as much as sugar and is often used in dietary foods and liquids.

•    Aspartame (e.g., Equal, NutraSweet) - was found in 1965, it is odorless, is a crystalline powder, which is derived from two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine.  Aspartame sweetens 200 times more than sugar and is most regularly found in frozen sweets, beverages and bubble gum.

•    Sucralose (e.g., Splenda, Altern) - is 500 times sweeter than sugar, and is made from sucrose when three chlorine atoms replace three hydroxyl groups.  Sucralose is usually found in sodas and juices, frozen treats, bubble gum and baked goods.

Man-made sweeteners and their effect on your body

There have been many tests conducted into the use of man-made sweeteners and their potential links to myriad of health implications including cancer.

Saccharin and aspartame are two of the most widely used man-made sweeteners, which have in past research studies been found to cause forms of cancer in rats.  However, further studies into these man-made sweeteners have discovered that although there have been problems in its use with rats there has been no suggestion of a causal link with human intake and therefore both of these man-made sweeteners have been allowed on the market by the FDA.

Replacements for artificial sweeteners

Mostly the consumption of man-made sweeteners is non-threatening and sometimes even beneficial, however if you still have worries as to what man-made sweetener is preferable or the health impact that it might cause on either your daily life or, if you are a mom-to-be, the affects that they might have on your unborn child, then there is a natural substitute that is commonly located on the market and that is honey or Xylitol.   Xylitol is an organic compound that can be processed from many berries in addition to oats and mushrooms. Xylitol has also been found to not only be outstandingly safe for pregnant or nursing moms, but that daily use can reduce bacteria which further tooth decay.

A professional writer on topics baby, wedding and parenting, Criss White has written many articles.  For other  information, or for candy wedding favors (http://www.bridalandweddingfavors.com/candy-wedding-favors.html), visit Bridal and Wedding Favors.