Over the years artificial sweeteners have faced a significant amount of scrutiny. However, they continue to be a popular additive to many foods and drinks among dieters and diabetics who are trying to lose weight and simply need to get that sweet taste. Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes are found in a wide variety of foods and drinks. They are often labeled as "sugar-free" or "diet.” People often choose these substitutes as a way to reduce their sugar and calorie intake as they contain less. But how healthy are artificial sweeteners? Are they really better than regular sugar? While you may be getting less sugar and calories, you are usually consuming more of something else that may also not be so good for you.

Regular sugar has also come under fire as consuming excessive amounts has shown to lead to a variety of health concerns including weight gain, diabetes, and cancer. The average American consumes about one third of a pound of sugar each day. This is equivalent to about 130 pounds of sugar per person every year. Americans consume approximately 9 million tons of sugar a year.

Artificial sweeteners have been a popular alternative to sugar amongst those looking to lose weight. With obesity being a rising global epidemic, artificial sweeteners are often marketed as a healthier option to regular sugar. In the United States, more than one-third of the population are obese and are therefore at an increased risk for serious health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. However, artificial sweeteners are not the answer to avoiding these illnesses.

Recent research shows that there is in fact a connection between artificial sweeteners and weight gain. Researchers believe that when we consume sugar, our bodies expect glucose levels to rise, as they do. However, when we opt for artificial sweeteners instead of regular sugar, the body’s expectation is not met. As a result, we continue to crave that sugar and consume sugary food or drink until that craving is met.

Other than weight gain and obesity, another major health concern associated with artificial sweeteners is an increased risk for developing cancer. Research done in the 1970s on rats showed that consuming a diet high in saccharin (also known as Sweet’N Low) developed bladder cancer at an increased rate.

In the United States, bladder cancer is a serious health concern and it is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in men. The American Cancer Society estimates that 73,000 new cases of bladder cancer will be diagnosed this year, with nearly 15,000 deaths attributed to the disease.

As for diet soda, which has been known to have high amounts of artificial sweetener, a 2008 study found that drinking more than two servings a day doubled the risk for kidney decline in women. Another study done in 2012 study showed a possible link between diet soda and an increased risk for vascular problems. Several other studies have found that consuming diet soda on a daily basis may lead to metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.

So where do we go from here? According to the FDA, consuming a small to moderate amount of artificial sweetener probably won’t give you cancer. The risk does go up however if you consume large amounts of it and often. More research is being done on the link between artificial sweeteners and heart and kidney problems.

Overall, sugar and artificial sweetener is not good for us. The healthiest people are those who consume a healthy diet and limit their intake of any type of sugar or sweetener. While this is not always easy to do, it should be a goal to aim for if you want to remain healthy and avoid potentially serious health problems.