Acesulfame potassium is a zero-calorie sweetener that is added to many sugar-free…
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Saccharin
Saccharin
Saccharin
What is it:
Saccharin is an artificial sweetener that is about 300 times sweeter than sugar. It is known by the brand names Sweet’N Low, Necta Sweet, and Sugar Twin and used in baked goods, jellies, juices, and more. Saccharin is produced by a chemical process called oxidation, in which a compound called o-toluene sulfonamide is reacted with chlorine, ammonia, and sulfur dioxide to create saccharin. The resulting saccharin crystals are then purified and dried.
Rating:
Saccharin is not naturally occurring and is a highly processed product. It was approved by the U.S. FDA in 1977. Saccharin has shown carcinogenic potential in rats, however, this has not been confirmed in humans and may not have the same effect in humans due to differing anatomy. In other animal studies, Saccharin has shown potential for liver inflammation and glucose intolerance.
Resources:
- PubChem information on saccharin
- The carcinogenicity of saccharin in rats (review)
- Explanation of the differences between rat and human urothelium may explain different health outcomes of Saccharin (review)
- Saccharin induces liver inflammation in mice (animal study)
- Saccharin induces glucose intolerance in mice (animal study)
- FDA approval of Saccharin
How we rate ingredients
Health is like a bank account, certain ingredients make a deposit into your health bank, meaning they add to
your health. Certain ingredients withdraw from your health bank. We want health promoting ingredients in our diet. To keep things simple, we rate ingredients on a green, yellow, red scale:
Clean
It is naturally occurring in food and has no harmful effects on the body. It is real food. It is health promoting.
Caution
It goes into one or more of the below categories
- It is not naturally occurring in food but doesn’t have data showing it has a harmful effect on the body (additives like Gellan Gum)
- It is naturally occurring but can have some harmful effects on the body (added sugars, oils, gums etc.)
We Avoid
It is known to have a harmful effect on the body (ex. All food colorings, Natural Flavors, MSG, Potassium bromate, aspartame, artificial flavors)
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