07/05/2026
It’s time for a reminder and an update on the topic of artificial sweeteners, and their effects on your health…
In my initial consultations with new patients, I always ask if people consume “diet” drinks such as cordials and soft drinks (“soda” in the US!), “diet” foods such as yoghurts or other similar low-calorie products. I’m trying to find all the possible root causes of all of their health issues and symptoms. Because products containing artificial sweeteners ARE a root cause for a lot of health problems.
In short, artificial sweeteners such as saccharin (E954), aspartame (951), sucralose (955), acesulphame-K (aka acesulphame potassium) (950), neotame (961) and others, typically in the additive number range of E950-969, are not healthy and should be avoided. They cause many health issues including:
1. Stimulating appetite, so you eat more and put on more weight!
2. Suppressing satiety or fullness from a meal, so you eat more and put on more weight!
3. Raising blood sugar levels and causing insulin resistance, simply because these foods and drinks TASTE sweet!
4. Causing or worsening diabetes
5. Contributing to leaky gut which in turn can trigger or worsen autoimmune conditions
6. Changing the balance of the digestive microbiome, causing dysbiosis
7. Causing many types of cancers.
Artificial sweeteners ironically cause the very things they are marketed for preventing – weight gain, diabetes, and other health issues. They are NOT a healthier option!
And artificial sweeteners do this even though they have zero calories! This is yet another reason why calories are a useless concept in the world of health and nutrition, as such chemicals can still have a profound effect on your health. I’ve been in talks and presentations from dietitians and doctors who have said that “diet” drinks are fine and ok to consume as they have no calories! If your practitioner tells you this, they haven’t read any published studies on this issue, and you should see a different practitioner!
Some recent studies are finding even more health issues with artificial sweeteners, including:
1. A 2025 study found that people who consumed the highest amounts of sweeteners experienced faster declines in thinking and memory skills (ie, Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms) compared to those who consumed the lowest amounts. The link was even stronger in people with diabetes. This study included the “sugar alcohol” sweeteners of erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol (American Academy of Neurology, 2025; Gonçalves et. al., 2025)
2. In 2023, the International Agency on Research into Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Hoax Organisation (WHO), updated their findings on the artificial sweetener aspartame (E951) to classify it as a “Group 2b possibly carcinogenic substance”, with increased risk of liver cancer (Cancer Council, 2026).
Even so-called “natural” sweeteners are not entirely safe or healthy either! Let’s take Stevia as an example – Stevia is a natural plant native to South America. Stevia leaves can be used as a natural sweetener, but most Stevia products are a highly processed extract of the Stevia plant, appearing on ingredients lists as “steviol glycosides” or “stevioside”.
Traditionally, the natives of South America used Stevia not for its sweetness, but for its anti-fertility actions and benefits! Studies from decades ago, which I have previously referenced, have proven the effects of Stevia on preventing pregnancies by affecting fertility in both men and women for up to 6 months! Hence if you are trying to conceive, you really should avoid Stevia!
Also, because steviol glycosides have a steroidal chemical structure, they can have a hormonal effect in your body too. One of the natural hormones which stevia can interfere with is cortisol, the stress hormone. Research shows stevia inhibits sodium reabsorption in the kidneys, causing increased cortisol stress hormone levels, and increased water and sodium loss in urine, hence causing frequent urination. Other studies have shown that some people with specific genetic variants can have an even stronger effect to stevia than others.
While sugar is not healthy and is quite damaging to your body, the artificial forms as sweeteners or even so-called natural alternatives are not healthy either! They can cause similar or even worse symptoms and effects on your health.
Be aware of what you are eating, and check on product labels. Or better – don’t eat things which come in packaging with ingredient labels!
Stay healthy!
References:
American Academy of Neurology. (2025). Not so sweet: Some sugar substitutes linked to faster cognitive decline. Retrieved 7th May 2026 from https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/5281
Cancer Council. (2026). Information sheet: Intense sweeteners and cancer risk. Retrieved 7th May 2026 from https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/policy-and-advocacy/prevention/obesity/related-resources/intense-sweeteners-and-cancer-risk
Gonçalves, N. G., Martinez-Steele, E., Lotufo, P. A., Bensenor, I., Goulart, A. C., Barreto, S. M., Giatti, L., de Faria, C. P., Molina, M. D. C. B., Caramelli, P., Marchioni, D. M., & Suemoto, C. K. (2025). Association Between Consumption of Low- and No-Calorie Artificial Sweeteners and Cognitive Decline: An 8-Year Prospective Study. Neurology, 105(7), e214023. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000214023
