Sucralose (Splenda)
– An altered sugar molecule; passes through the body undigested (0 calories)
– Straight substitute for regular sugar
– Leading sugar substitute
– Though often promoted as a “natural,” substitute, it’s a synthetic compound.
Stevia extracts (such as Truvia and PureVia)
– Comes from the shrub Stevia rebaudiana
– Number two brand of sugar substitute
– Touted as “natural,” though the leaves have to be highly processed to isolate the compounds.
Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal)
– Made from two amino acids
– Unsafe for people with phenylketonuria (PKU
– Safe for humans, according to exhaustive reviews by the FDA, WHO and other authorities.
Acesulfame Potassium (Sunett and Sweet One)
– Compound passes through the body unchanged (0 calories)
– FDA has repeatedly reaffirmed its safety, as has the WHO and the European Union. Nearly 100 studies have given it a clean bill of health.
