October 2007
How to choose
Use the tables in the Ratings (available to subscribers) and comparing the brands to compare sweeteners. And consider these tips:
For baking, use a blend. Many recipes require at least some sugar to come out right, and our tests bore that out. Choose a sugar-sweetener blend like the products we tested. If you want something free of added sugar, you'd do better to have fruit.
If you're diabetic, avoid fructose sweeteners. People with diabetes historically have been encouraged to use fructose as a substitute for sugar because it's digested more slowly and doesn't have the same effect on blood glucose. But the American Diabetes Association, in its latest position statement, now recommends against using fructose, since it might increase levels of the blood lipids (fats) that can contribute to high cholesterol. And the association now says it's fine for diabetics to have sugar in moderation.
Don't overindulge. Even sugar-free treats can pack plenty of carbohydrates and calories, and most of them offer few vitamins and minerals. What's more, some research suggests that consuming too much artificial sweetener can disrupt your body's ability to register calories--a possible reason Americans continue to gain weight despite the proliferation of low-sugar products.
For baking, use a blend. Many recipes require at least some sugar to come out right, and our tests bore that out. Choose a sugar-sweetener blend like the products we tested. If you want something free of added sugar, you'd do better to have fruit.
If you're diabetic, avoid fructose sweeteners. People with diabetes historically have been encouraged to use fructose as a substitute for sugar because it's digested more slowly and doesn't have the same effect on blood glucose. But the American Diabetes Association, in its latest position statement, now recommends against using fructose, since it might increase levels of the blood lipids (fats) that can contribute to high cholesterol. And the association now says it's fine for diabetics to have sugar in moderation.
Don't overindulge. Even sugar-free treats can pack plenty of carbohydrates and calories, and most of them offer few vitamins and minerals. What's more, some research suggests that consuming too much artificial sweetener can disrupt your body's ability to register calories--a possible reason Americans continue to gain weight despite the proliferation of low-sugar products.
