Sweet but Risky: The Truth About Non-Sugar Sweeteners
Sweet but Risky: The Truth About Non-Sugar Sweeteners
Retno Yunita Sari, S.Gz.
The use of non-sugar sweeteners is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to regular sugar. Common types include aspartame, cyclamate, acesulfame-K, sucralose, and saccharin. These sweeteners contain no calories but offer the same or even greater sweetness than sugar. Because of this, many people turn to non-sugar sweeteners in an effort to manage their weight.
However, according to the latest WHO guidelines on artificial sweeteners, these non-sugar sweeteners are not recommended for weight management or the prevention of non-communicable diseases. This is because they do not provide long-term benefits in reducing body fat.
Can Non-Sugar Sweeteners Cause Health Issues?
Beyond their lack of benefits, long-term consumption of non-sugar sweeteners may actually increase the risk of serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and even premature death. Certain sweeteners like sucralose and saccharin can also disrupt the balance of gut microbiota, which may affect digestive health. For these reasons, non-sugar sweeteners are not recommended for long-term use.
A Healthier, Natural Alternative to Sweetness
Replacing sugar with non-sugar sweeteners isn't the best long-term strategy for weight control. A better approach is to moderate your daily sugar intake and choose healthier sources of sweetness. Natural sweeteners with a low glycemic index, such as Lontar Sugar, Coconut Sugar or Palm Sugar, are a wiser option, helping to keep blood sugar levels stable and support a healthy weight. Still, it's important to remember that even natural sweeteners should be consumed in moderation.
YAVA: Naturally Sweet, Safe Option for a Healthy Lifestyle
All YAVA products are made with natural ingredients and low-glycemic sweeteners. By using Lontar Sugar as the source of sweetness, YAVA lets you enjoy delicious breakfasts and sweet snacks that are both tasty AND healthy so you can indulge without worry.
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